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Gender-Specific Application Behavior, Matching, and the Residual Gender Earnings Gap

Author

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  • Lochner, Benjamin

    (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg)

  • Merkl, Christian

    (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relationship between gender-specific application behavior, employer-side flexibility requirements, and the gender earnings gap using a unique combination of the German Job Vacancy Survey (JVS) linked to administrative employment records. We document that women have a substantially lower probability of applying to jobs with high flexibility requirements at high-wage firms than do men but have the same probability of being hired upon application. In our two-stage search model, these empirical patterns are rationalized by firms compensating workers for meeting employer-side flexibility requirements. Consistently, we empirically show that among women, mothers face the largest earnings discounts relative to men in jobs with high flexibility requirements.

Suggested Citation

  • Lochner, Benjamin & Merkl, Christian, 2023. "Gender-Specific Application Behavior, Matching, and the Residual Gender Earnings Gap," IZA Discussion Papers 16686, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16686
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    job search; application behavior; gender earnings gap;
    All these keywords.

    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
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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