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Mismatch Cycles

Author

Listed:
  • Isaac Baley

    (Universitat Pompeu Fabra)

  • Ana Figueiredo

    (Erasmus School of Economics)

  • Robert Ulbricht

    (Boston College)

Abstract

This paper studies the cyclical dynamics of skill mismatch and quantifies its impact on labor productivity. We build a tractable directed search model, in which workers differ in skills along multiple dimensions and sort into jobs with heterogeneous skill requirements. Skill mismatch arises due to information frictions and is prolonged by search frictions. Estimated to the U.S., the model replicates salient business cycle properties of mismatch. Job transitions in and out of bottom job rungs, combined with career mobility, are key to account for the empirical fit. The model provides a novel narrative for the scarring effect of unemployment.

Suggested Citation

  • Isaac Baley & Ana Figueiredo & Robert Ulbricht, 2019. "Mismatch Cycles," Boston College Working Papers in Economics 981, Boston College Department of Economics, revised 04 Aug 2021.
    • Handle: RePEc:boc:bocoec:981
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Giorgio Brunello & Patricia Wruuck, 2021. "Skill shortages and skill mismatch: A review of the literature," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(4), pages 1145-1167, September.
    3. Isaac Baley & Laura Veldkamp, 2021. "Bayesian Learning," Working Papers 1287, Barcelona School of Economics.

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    Keywords

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    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
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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