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Estimating the Wage Curve with Spatial Effects and Spline Functions

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Falk

    (Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO))

  • Thomas Leoni

    (Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO))

Abstract

In this paper, we provide new empirical evidence on the relationship between regional wages and unemployment using spatial econometric techniques and allowing for nonlinearities in the model. The estimates are based on Austrian administrative data for the year 2001. The wage elasticity with respect to the unemployment rate is about -0.03 and thus quite low in international comparison. This can be explained by institutional characteristics of the Austrian wage bargaining system. Allowing for a more flexible functional form by estimating a model with linear spline functions, we find that the wage curve is only present in areas with a medium level of unemployment. The often used quadratic specification is therefore inadequate in describing the shape of the earnings unemployment relationship. Finally, we show how OLS tends to overestimate the wage-curve elasticity in absolute terms.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Falk & Thomas Leoni, 2011. "Estimating the Wage Curve with Spatial Effects and Spline Functions," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 31(1), pages 591-604.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-09-00585
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andreas Ammermuller & Claudio Lucifora & Federica Origo & Thomas Zwick, 2010. "Wage Flexibility in Regional Labour Markets: Evidence from Italy and Germany," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(4), pages 401-421.
    2. Thiess Buettner, 1999. "The effect of unemployment, aggregate wages, and spatial contiguity on local wages: An investigation with German district level data," Papers in Regional Science, Springer;Regional Science Association International, vol. 78(1), pages 47-67.
    3. Winter-Ebmer, Rudolf, 1996. "Wage curve, unemployment duration and compensating differentials," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 425-434, December.
    4. de la Fuente, Angel & Domenech, Rafael, 2002. "Educational Attainment in the OECD, 1960-95," CEPR Discussion Papers 3390, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. Sanz-de-Galdeano, Anna & Turunen, Jarkko, 2006. "The euro area wage curve," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 92(1), pages 93-98, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Roberto Bande Ramudo & Melchor Fernández Fernández & Víctor Montuenga Gómez, 2011. "Wage flexibility and local labour markets: homogeneity of the wage curve in Spain," Documentos de trabajo - Analise Economica 0044, IDEGA - Instituto Universitario de Estudios e Desenvolvemento de Galicia.
    2. Mohamed Bilel Triki, 2019. "The Italian wage curve revisited: A local and spatial cointegration," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 55, pages 73-90.
    3. Raul Ramos & Catia Nicodemo & Esteve Sanromá, 2015. "A spatial panel wage curve for Spain," Letters in Spatial and Resource Sciences, Springer, vol. 8(2), pages 125-139, July.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics
    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs

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