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Product market competition and the labour market: Evidence from South Africa

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  • Francesco Amodio
  • Michele Di Maio
  • Yifan Li
  • Patrizio Piraino

Abstract

We study the relationship between product market competition and labour market outcomes in South Africa. We combine firm-level data from tax records with individual-level data from the labour force survey. We estimate markups across sectors, and derive a measure of employment concentration in high-markup sectors across South African district municipalities. We then test whether individual labour market outcomes differ systematically in those district municipalities where employment is more concentrated in high-markup sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Amodio & Michele Di Maio & Yifan Li & Patrizio Piraino, 2020. "Product market competition and the labour market: Evidence from South Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2020-39, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2020-39
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abhijit Banerjee & Sebastian Galiani & Jim Levinsohn & Zoë McLaren & Ingrid Woolard, 2008. "Why has unemployment risen in the New South Africa?1," The Economics of Transition, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, vol. 16(4), pages 715-740, October.
    2. José Azar & Ioana Marinescu & Marshall Steinbaum, 2022. "Labor Market Concentration," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 57(S), pages 167-199.
    3. James Levinsohn & Amil Petrin, 2003. "Estimating Production Functions Using Inputs to Control for Unobservables," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 70(2), pages 317-341.
    4. Efraim Benmelech & Nittai K. Bergman & Hyunseob Kim, 2022. "Strong Employers and Weak Employees: How Does Employer Concentration Affect Wages?," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 57(S), pages 200-250.
    5. Jeremy R. Magruder, 2012. "High Unemployment Yet Few Small Firms: The Role of Centralized Bargaining in South Africa," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 4(3), pages 138-166, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ricardo Hausmann & Federico Sturzenegger & Patricio Goldstein & Frank Muci & Douglas Barrios, 2022. "Macroeconomic risks after a decade of microeconomic turbulence: South Africa (2007-2020)," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2022-3, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).

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