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The Effectiveness of Hiring Credits

Author

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  • Cahuc, Pierre

    (Sciences Po, Paris)

  • Carcillo, Stéphane

    (OECD)

  • Le Barbanchon, Thomas

    (Bocconi University)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effectiveness of hiring credits. Using comprehensive administrative data, we show that the French hiring credit, implemented during the Great Recession, had significant positive employment effects and no effects on wages. Relying on the quasi-experimental variation in labor cost triggered by the hiring credit, we estimate a structural search and matching model. Simulations of counterfactual policies show that the effectiveness of the hiring credit relied to a large extent on three features: it was non-anticipated, temporary and targeted at jobs with rigid wages. We estimate that the cost per job created by permanent hiring credits, either countercyclical or time-invariant, in an environment with flexible wages would have been much higher.

Suggested Citation

  • Cahuc, Pierre & Carcillo, Stéphane & Le Barbanchon, Thomas, 2017. "The Effectiveness of Hiring Credits," IZA Discussion Papers 11248, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp11248
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    labor demand; search and matching model; hiring credit;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers

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