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The Impact of Unionization Costs when Firm-selection Matters

Author

Listed:
  • Marco de Pinto

    (Institute for Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the EU, Trier University)

  • Jörg Lingens

    (University of Muenster)

Abstract

How does an increase in unionization costs, i.e. costs which arise when workers are organized by a union, affect the productivity distribution of active firms, wage inequality and welfare? In this paper, we build a model with costly, endogenous unionization, heterogeneous firms as well as free market entry/exit. If unionization costs are rel- atively low (high), we find that an increase in these costs decreases (increases) average productivity and welfare decreases (increases). Additionally, we find a hump-shaped relationship between unionization costs and wage inequality. These results suggest that policies aiming to reduce unionization could worsen economic performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco de Pinto & Jörg Lingens, 2017. "The Impact of Unionization Costs when Firm-selection Matters," IAAEU Discussion Papers 201701, Institute of Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Union (IAAEU).
    • Handle: RePEc:iaa:dpaper:201701
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. de Pinto, Marco & Michaelis, Jochen, 2019. "The labor market effects of trade union heterogeneity," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 60-72.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    unionization costs; endogenous unionization; firm-selection; welfare; wage inequality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L16 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Industrial Organization and Macroeconomics; Macroeconomic Industrial Structure

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