Vacancies, Hirings, and the Duration Function

While the matching function relates hirings (H) to vacancies (V) and unemployment, the duration function relates the average duration of vacancies as measured by V/H to unemployment. Shifts of the duration function are equivalent to shifts of the matching function but easier to interpret. Therefore, this paper focuses on the microfoundations of the duration function. We find, first, that outward shifts of the duration function, or, equivalently, longer recruitment times at given unemployment, have no direct effects on hirings. Second, the effect of longer recruitment times on hirings through higher recruitment costs depends on the relative importance of vacancy costs in total recruitment costs, where vacancy costs include the opportunity cost of unfilled jobs. Third, this paper reports information on unfilled jobs (unmet demand) as distinct from job vacancies (recruitment processes) according to a new business survey in Sweden.