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Efficiency and Labor Market Dynamics in a Model of Labor Selection

Author Info

Listed author(s):
  • Sanjay K. Chugh

    (Boston College)

  • Christian Merkl

    (Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg)

Abstract

We characterize efficient allocations and cyclical fluctuations in a labor selection model. Potential new hires are heterogenous in the cross-section in their degree of training costs. In a calibrated version of the model that identifies costly selection with micro-level data on training costs, efficient fluctuations feature highly volatile unemployment and hiring rates, in line with empirical evidence. We show analytically in a partial equilibrium version of the model that volatility arises from selection effects, rather than general equilibrium effects.

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Paper provided by Boston College Department of Economics in its series Boston College Working Papers in Economics with number 846.

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Date of creation: 09 Apr 2013
Publication status: forthcoming, International Economic Review
Handle: RePEc:boc:bocoec:846
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Keywords: labor market frictions; hiring costs; efficiency; amplification;

Other versions of this item:

Find related papers by JEL classification:
  • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
  • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
  • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General

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Cited by:

  1. Hochmuth, Brigitte & Gartner, Hermann & Kohlbrecher, Britta & Merkl, Christian, 2016. "Labor selection over the business cycle: An empirical assessment," FAU Discussion Papers in Economics 02/2016, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute for Economics.
  2. Christian Merkl & Thijs van Rens, 2011. "Selective hiring and welfare analysis in labor market models," Economics Working Papers 1277, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, revised Jan 2012.
  3. Sengul, Gonul, 2017. "Effect of labor market policies on unemployment when firms adapt their recruitment strategy," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 169-179.
  4. Chugh, Sanjay K. & Merkl, Christian, 2011. "Efficiency and labor market dynamics in a model of labor selection," Kiel Working Papers 1684, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW).
  5. Sanjay K. Chugh & Wolfgang Lechthalerz & Christian Merkl, 2015. "Optimal Fiscal Policy with Labor Selection," Boston College Working Papers in Economics 884, Boston College Department of Economics.

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