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Measuring hours worked in Germany : contents, data and methodological essentials of the IAB working time measurement concept (Die Berechnung der geleisteten Arbeitsstunden in Deutschland : Inhalte, Daten und methodische Grundlagen der IAB Arbeitszeitrechnung)

Author

Listed:
  • Wanger, Susanne

    (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg, Germany)

  • Weigand, Roland

    (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg, Germany)

  • Zapf, Ines

    (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg, Germany)

Abstract

"This article presents the Working Time Measurement Concept of the Institute for Employment Research, which determines the hours worked in Germany and their individual components. The Working Time Measurement Concept is the key data product on working time in Germany and underlies the German national accounts figure on labour input. These statistics on hours worked are essential for a proper analysis of aggregate labour market trends and cyclical fluctuations. In the Working Time Measurement Concept, changes in working hours due to collective agreements and economic fluctuations are brought together with shifts in employment structure, thus producing a differentiated picture of the scope, structure and development of the annual working time of gainfully employed persons. We outline the conceptual and methodological framework of the measurement, which continually evolves due to its integration in the system of national accounts and due to innovations to the statistical procedures applied. An overview of single components and their data sources is given, while the resulting time series of hours worked and the volume of work are depicted according to their long run trends, cyclical variation and reaction in the 2008/09 financial and economic crisis." (Author's abstract, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

Suggested Citation

  • Wanger, Susanne & Weigand, Roland & Zapf, Ines, 2016. "Measuring hours worked in Germany : contents, data and methodological essentials of the IAB working time measurement concept (Die Berechnung der geleisteten Arbeitsstunden in Deutschland : Inhalte, Da," Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 49(3), pages 213-238.
    • Handle: RePEc:iab:iabjlr:v:49:i:3:p:213-238
    DOI: 10.1007/s12651-016-0206-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dengler, Katharina, 2013. "Effectiveness of sequences of One-Euro-Jobs : is it better to do more One-Euro-Jobs or to wait?," IAB-Discussion Paper 201316, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
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    3. Wanger, Susanne & Weigand, Roland & Zapf, Ines, 2014. "Revision der IAB-Arbeitszeitrechnung 2014 : Grundlagen, methodische Weiterentwicklungen sowie ausgewählte Ergebnisse im Rahmen der Revision der Volkswirtschaftlichen Gesamtrechnungen," IAB-Forschungsbericht 201409, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
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    5. Robert Shimer, 2010. "Labor Markets and Business Cycles," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 9217.
    6. Weigand Roland & Wanger Susanne & Zapf Ines, 2018. "Factor Structural Time Series Models for Official Statistics with an Application to Hours Worked in Germany," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 34(1), pages 265-301, March.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C82 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Macroeconomic Data; Data Access
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts

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