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Collective Wage Agreements on Fixed Wages and Piece Rates May Cartelize Product Markets

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  • Annette Kirstein
  • Roland Kirstein

Abstract

Labor law limits the freedom of individual firms and agents to deviate from the clauses prescribed by collective wage agreements. We show that employers´ associations and unions may exploit this legal framework to stabilize product market cartels. This new view on the institution of collective wage agreements provides an interesting insight for strategic management: A self-commitment on the labor market may greatly improve the product market situation. Moreover, it has an important implication for economic policy: Competition authorities should observe collective wage agreements for their potentially collusive effect on product markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Annette Kirstein & Roland Kirstein, 2009. "Collective Wage Agreements on Fixed Wages and Piece Rates May Cartelize Product Markets," Journal of Institutional and Theoretical Economics (JITE), Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen, vol. 165(2), pages 250-259, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:mhr:jinste:urn:sici:0932-4569(200906)165:2_250:cwaofw_2.0.tx_2-f
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C78 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Bargaining Theory; Matching Theory
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General
    • K31 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Labor Law
    • L41 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Monopolization; Horizontal Anticompetitive Practices

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