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Racial Discrimination in Labor Markets with Posted Wage Offers

Author

Listed:
  • Kevin Lang

    (Institute for Economic Development, Boston University)

  • Michael Manove

    (Institute for Economic Development, Boston University)

  • William T. Dickens

    (The Brookings Institution)

Abstract

We analyze race discrimination in labor markets in which wage offers are posted. If employers with job vacancies receive multiple applicants, they choose the most qualified but may choose arbitrarily among equally qualified applicants. In the model, firms post wages, workers choose where to apply, and firms decide which workers to hire. Labor-market frictions greatly amplify racial disparities, so mild discriminatory tastes or small productivity differences can produce large wage differentials between the races. Compared with the nondiscriminatory equilibrium, the discriminatory equilibrium features lower net output, lower wages for both white and black workers and greater profits for firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin Lang & Michael Manove & William T. Dickens, 2005. "Racial Discrimination in Labor Markets with Posted Wage Offers," Boston University - Department of Economics - The Institute for Economic Development Working Papers Series dp-145, Boston University - Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bos:iedwpr:dp-145
    as

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    File URL: http://www.bu.edu/econ/ied/dp/papers/dp145-Lang-Manove.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Espen R. Moen, 2003. "Do good workers hurt bad workers-or is it the other way around?," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 44(2), pages 779-800, May.
    2. Kevin Lang & Michael Manove & William T. Dickens, 2005. "Racial Discrimination in Labor Markets with Posted Wage Offers," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 95(4), pages 1327-1340, September.
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    4. Shi, Shouyong, 2006. "Wage differentials, discrimination and efficiency," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 50(4), pages 849-875, May.
    5. Moen, Espen R., 2002. "Do Good Workers Hurt Bad Workers - or is it the Other Way Around?," CEPR Discussion Papers 3471, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J70 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - General

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