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The establishment-size wage premium: evidence from European countries

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  • Thierry Lallemand
  • Robert Plasman
  • François Rycx

Abstract

This study examines the magnitude and determinants of the establishment-size wage premium in five European countries using a unique harmonised matched employer-employee data set. Findings show the existence of a significant positive wage premium in all countries, even when controlling for labour quality, working conditions, monitoring, sectoral and regional effects, bargaining institutions, job stability, and concentration of skilled workers. In cross-national perspective, results support the existence of an inverse relationship between the size wage gap and the degree of corporatism. Final results indicate that the size wage premium is generally larger in the manufacturing sector and for blue-collar workers.
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  • Thierry Lallemand & Robert Plasman & François Rycx, 2007. "The establishment-size wage premium: evidence from European countries," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 34(5), pages 427-451, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:empiri:v:34:y:2007:i:5:p:427-451
    DOI: 10.1007/s10663-007-9042-3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Establishment-size; Wages; Europe; J31;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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