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Does the UK Minimum Wage Reduce Employment? A Meta-Regression Analysis

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  • Megan Linde Leonard
  • T. D. Stanley
  • Hristos Doucouliagos

Abstract

The employment effect from raising the minimum wage has long been studied but remains in dispute. Our meta-analysis of 236 estimated minimum wage elasticities and 710 partial correlation coefficients from 16 UK studies finds no overall practically significant adverse employment effect. Unlike US studies, there seems to be little, if any, overall reporting bias. Multivariate meta-regression analysis identifies several research dimensions that are associated with differential employment effects. In particular, the residential home care industry may exhibit a genuinely adverse employment effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Megan Linde Leonard & T. D. Stanley & Hristos Doucouliagos, 2014. "Does the UK Minimum Wage Reduce Employment? A Meta-Regression Analysis," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 52(3), pages 499-520, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:52:y:2014:i:3:p:499-520
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