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Testing the predictive value of subjective labour supply data

Author

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  • Rob Euwals

    (Department of Economics, Mannheim University, 68131 Mannheim, Germany)

  • Bertrand Melenberg

    (Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, the Netherlands)

  • Arthur van Soest

    (Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, the Netherlands)

Abstract

Empirical implementation of labour supply theories is usually based on actual hours of work. This requires strong assumptions on the impact of labour demand. To avoid these assumptions, subjective data on desired labour supply can be used. In this paper we investigate whether respondents' answers to survey questions on the desired number of working hours contain additional information on the respondents' preferences. Using panel data for the Netherlands, we analyse whether deviations between desired hours and actual hours of work help to predict future changes in the respondents' actual working hours. We use parametric and recently developed non-parametric tests. The results show that information on desired working hours is helpful in explaining female labour supply. For males the evidence is mixed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Rob Euwals & Bertrand Melenberg & Arthur van Soest, 1998. "Testing the predictive value of subjective labour supply data," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 13(5), pages 567-585.
    • Handle: RePEc:jae:japmet:v:13:y:1998:i:5:p:567-585
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    Cited by:

    1. Henneberger, Fred & Sousa-Poza, Alfonso, 2002. "Beweggründe und Determinanten zwischenbetrieblicher Mobilität: Die Schweiz in einer internationalen Perspektive (Motives and determinants of job-to-job mobility : Switzerland in an international persp," Mitteilungen aus der Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 35(2), pages 205-231.
    2. Abou Kane, 2013. "Occupational choices in Senegalese labour market: a multinomial logit analysis," Post-Print hal-01929091, HAL.
    3. Francis Green & Nicholas Tsitsianis, 2004. "Can the Changing Nature of Jobs Account for National Trends in Job Satisfaction?," Studies in Economics 0406, School of Economics, University of Kent.
    4. Sousa-Poza, Alfonso & Ziegler, Alexandre, 2003. "Asymmetric information about workers' productivity as a cause for inefficient long working hours," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 10(6), pages 727-747, December.
    5. René Böheim & Mark P. Taylor, 2003. "Option Or Obligation? The Determinants Of Labour Supply Preferences In Britain," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 71(2), pages 113-131, March.
    6. Georgellis, Yannis & Gregoriou, Andros & Tsitsianis, Nikolaos, 2008. "Adaptation towards reference values: A non-linear perspective," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 67(3-4), pages 768-781, September.
    7. Euwals, R.W., 1997. "Hours Constraints Within and Between Jobs," Discussion Paper 1997-64, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    8. Euwals, R.W., 1997. "Hours Constraints Within and Between Jobs," Other publications TiSEM 4b4cb3b9-af77-4952-92a8-1, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    9. Fouarge, D. & Baaijens, F P., 2009. "Job mobility and hours of work: the effect of Dutch legislation," ROA Research Memorandum 004, Maastricht University, Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA).
    10. Rob Euwals, 2010. "The Predictive Value of Subjective Labour Supply Data: A Dynamic Panel Data Model with Measurement Error," Working Papers id:2762, eSocialSciences.
    11. Abou Kane, 2014. "Analysis of Labour Market Participation in Senegal," Post-Print hal-01929090, HAL.
    12. René Böheim & Mark P. Taylor, 2004. "Actual and Preferred Working Hours," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 42(1), pages 149-166, March.
    13. Basit Zafar, 2013. "College Major Choice and the Gender Gap," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 48(3), pages 545-595.
    14. Nadia Steiber, 2008. ""How Many Hours Would you Want to Work a Week?": Job Quality and the Omitted Variables Bias in Labour Supply Models," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 121, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    15. Euwals, Rob, 2000. "Female Labour Supply, Flexibility Of Working Hours, And Job Mobility," CEPR Discussion Papers 2419, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    16. Rob Euwals, 2002. "The Predictive Value of Subjective Labour Supply Data: A Dynamic Panel Data Model with Measurement Error," 10th International Conference on Panel Data, Berlin, July 5-6, 2002 D1-3, International Conferences on Panel Data.
    17. Euwals, Rob, 2002. "The Predictive Value of Subjective Labour Supply Data: A Dynamic Panel Data Model with Measurement Error," CEPR Discussion Papers 3121, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    18. Euwals, Rob, 1999. "Female Labour Supply, Flexibility of Working Hours, and Job Mobility in the Netherlands," IZA Discussion Papers 83, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    19. Euwals, Rob, 2001. "The Predictive Value of Subjective Labour Supply Data: A Dynamic Panel Data Model with Measurement Error," IZA Discussion Papers 400, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    20. Henneberger, Fred & Sousa-Poza, Alfonso, 2002. "Beweggründe und Determinanten zwischenbetrieblicher Mobilität: Die Schweiz in einer internationalen Perspektive (Motives and determinants of job-to-job mobility : Switzerland in an international persp," Mitteilungen aus der Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 35(2), pages 205-231.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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