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Natural disasters and the real effect of skilled labor mobility

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  • Heo, Yuna
  • Rhee, S. Ghon

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of skilled labor mobility as a response to climate disasters. Based on a novel measure of firm-level skilled labor mobility, we identify that skilled labor mobility exposed to climate disasters leads to increased liquidity buffers whereas routine-task labor does not. Additionally, firms with skilled labor mobility exposed to frequent climate disasters experience a decrease in sales growth and market shares, while firms with more routine-task labor remain unaffected. Furthermore, state-level climate adaptation policies can mitigate the adverse effects of climate disasters. Overall, the findings suggest that skilled labor mobility increases the cost of labor adjustment induced by climate change, but adaptation actions promote resilience to the challenges caused by labor market frictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Heo, Yuna & Rhee, S. Ghon, 2025. "Natural disasters and the real effect of skilled labor mobility," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pacfin:v:94:y:2025:i:c:s0927538x2500277x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2025.102940
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    JEL classification:

    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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