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The impact of unions on profits: a meta-analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Hristos Doucouliagos
  • Patrice Laroche

    (CEREFIGE)

Abstract

The impact of unions on profitability is investigated through a comprehensive meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis of the available literature. Drawing upon 57 published empirical studies, with 91,200 observations, the paper establishes a negative and statistically significant union-profit effect for the US. This effect is robust to a number of tests. The negative effects of unions on profits are larger in manufacturing industries. However, for the U.K, no effect can be established. Meta-regression analysis is used also to investigate the presence of specification bias and publication bias in this literature. It is shown that while some degree of publication bias exists in this literature, its effect is moderate. On the other hand, strong specification effects are detected with respect to the inclusion of establishment size, market share and demand conditions, as well as the measure of profits. The sources of union gains are explored and it appears that trade union bargaining power interacted with market share is an important determinant of union-profit effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Hristos Doucouliagos & Patrice Laroche, 2004. "The impact of unions on profits: a meta-analysis," Cahiers du CEREFIGE 0404, CEREFIGE (Centre Europeen de Recherche en Economie Financiere et Gestion des Entreprises), Universite de Lorraine, revised 2004.
    • Handle: RePEc:fie:wpaper:0404
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    File URL: http://www.univ-nancy2.fr/CEREFIGE/realisations/cahiers/cahier2005/laroche%202005-05.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Unions; Profits; Meta-analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects

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