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Labour market institutions without blinders: The debate over flexibility and labour market performance

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  • Richard Freeman

Abstract

The debate over the influence of labour market flexibility on performance is unlikely to be settled by additional studies using aggregate data and making cross-country comparisons. While this approach holds little promise, micro-analysis of workers and firms and increased use of experimental methods represent a path forward. Steps along this path could help end the current 'lawyer's case' empiricism in which priors dominate evidence.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Freeman, 2005. "Labour market institutions without blinders: The debate over flexibility and labour market performance," International Economic Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2), pages 129-145.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:intecj:v:19:y:2005:i:2:p:129-145
    DOI: 10.1080/10168730500080675
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Flexibility; performance; aggregate data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J0 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General

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