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Inefficient Labor Market Sorting

Author

Listed:
  • Carsten Eckel

    (LMU Munich)

  • Stephen R. Yeaple

    (Pennsylvania State University)

Abstract

A growing empirical literature attributes much of the productivity advantages of large, "superstar" firms to their adoption of best practice management techniques that allow them to better identify and use talented workers. The reasons for the incomplete adoption of these "structured management practices" and their welfare implications are not well understood. This paper provides a positive and normative analysis of these issues in a theoretical framework in which structured management practices induce sorting of talent across firms. Incomplete adoption arises because worker talent is in limited supply. In equilibrium there is excessive adoption of structured management practices and too much sorting of talented workers into large firms. In this second-best environment, policy changes that favor large firms, such as trade liberalization, have the potential to lower welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Carsten Eckel & Stephen R. Yeaple, 2023. "Inefficient Labor Market Sorting," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 437, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.
    • Handle: RePEc:rco:dpaper:437
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    labor market imperfection; misallocation; productivity; wage inequality; international trade; welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • J42 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Monopsony; Segmented Labor Markets
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions

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