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Transactions Costs and the Employment Contract in the US Economy

Author

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  • MacLeod, W. Bentley

    (Princeton University)

  • Parent, Daniel

    (HEC Montreal)

Abstract

In this paper we adapt the model of MacLeod (2007) to provide one way to formally implement some of Williamson's ideas regarding the effect of transactions costs upon employment relationship. We then explore the empirical implications of this model with a data set that measures job characteristics using the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), and merge this data set with the Panel Study on Income Dynamics (PSID). We find that viewing the data through the lens of transactions costs economics provide a useful way to organize the data on compensation in the US labor market.

Suggested Citation

  • MacLeod, W. Bentley & Parent, Daniel, 2013. "Transactions Costs and the Employment Contract in the US Economy," IZA Discussion Papers 7306, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7306
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Radoslawa Nikolowa, 2017. "Motivate and select: Relational contracts with persistent types," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(3), pages 624-635, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    labor markets; transactions costs; compensation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods

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