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The Response of German Establishments to the 2008-2009 Economic Crisis

Author

Listed:
  • Lutz Bellmann

    (Institute for Employment Research)

  • Hans-Dieter Gerner

    (Institute for Employment Research)

  • Richard Upward

    (University of Nottingham)

Abstract

We examine the response of a large panel of German establishments to the crisis in terms of their job flows (changes in employment) and consequent worker flows (hires, separations and layoffs). We analyse the extent to which job flows and worker flows at the establishment level are systematically related to institutional arrangements intended to promote flexibility such as Kurzarbeit (short-time work, STW) and Arbeitszeitkonten (working-time accounts, WTA). We find pronounced evidence of labour hoarding in the sense that labour productivity fell rapidly during the 2008-09 downturn, but we find no evidence that STW (or other policies) increased labour hoarding by reducing layoffs. This may well reflect the probable selection effects involved which are not accounted for by observable differences between STW and non- STW establishments. Nous examinons la réponse d'un large panel d'établissements allemands à la crise en termes de flux d'emplois (évolution de l'emploi) et de travailleurs qui en découlent (embauches, départs et licenciements). Nous analysons dans quelle mesure les flux d'emplois et les flux de travailleurs au niveau des établissements sont systématiquement liées aux arrangements institutionnels destinés à promouvoir la flexibilité comme le Kurzarbeit (chômage partiel, STW) et l’Arbeitszeitkonten (comptes épargne temps, WTA). Nous constatons un effet marqué de la rétention de main-d’oeuvre dans le sens où la productivité du travail a diminué rapidement pendant la récession de 2008-09, mais nous ne trouvons aucune indication que le chômage partiel (ou d'autres politiques) a augmenté la rétention de main-d’oeuvre en réduisant les licenciements. Cela pourrait bien reflèter les effets de sélection probables induits qui ne sont pas pris en compte par les différences observables entre les établissements ayants recours ou non au chômage partiel.

Suggested Citation

  • Lutz Bellmann & Hans-Dieter Gerner & Richard Upward, 2012. "The Response of German Establishments to the 2008-2009 Economic Crisis," OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers 137, OECD Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:oec:elsaab:137-en
    DOI: 10.1787/5k8x7gwmb3jc-en
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    1. repec:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/68ufmnnh3j9vmblf03huqt18qe is not listed on IDEAS
    2. repec:hal:wpspec:info:hdl:2441/6596a4s9af8lt872jnqvm5jg73 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Cahuc, Pierre & Kramarz, Francis & Nevoux, Sandra, 2021. "The Heterogeneous Impact of Short-Time Work: From Saved Jobs to Windfall Effects," CEPR Discussion Papers 16168, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    4. Marlon R. Tracey & Solomon W. Polachek, 2020. "Heterogeneous Layoff Effects of the US Short‐Time Compensation Program," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 34(4), pages 399-426, December.
    5. Pierre Cahuc & Francis Kramarz & Sandra Nevoux, 2021. "The Heterogeneous Impact of Short-Time Work: From Saved Jobs to Windfall Effects," SciencePo Working papers hal-03602410, HAL.
    6. Laura Chies, 2013. "Riforme del mercato del lavoro e distribuzione del reddito in Germania," ECONOMIA E SOCIET? REGIONALE, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(2), pages 42-64.
    7. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/68ufmnnh3j9vmblf03huqt18qe is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Pierre Cahuc & Francis Kramarz & Sandra Nevoux, 2018. "When Short-Time Work Works," SciencePo Working papers hal-03393127, HAL.
    9. Baumgarten, Daniel & Kvasnicka, Michael, 2017. "Temporary agency work and the Great Recession," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 29-44.
    10. Pierre Cahuc & Sandra Nevoux, 2019. "Inefficient Short-Time Work," Working Papers hal-03393097, HAL.
    11. Cahuc, Pierre & Nevoux, Sandra, 2017. "Inefficient Short-Time Work," IZA Discussion Papers 11010, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    12. Kruppe, Thomas & Scholz, Theresa, 2014. "Labour hoarding in Germany : employment effects of short-time work during the crises," IAB-Discussion Paper 201417, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    13. Pierre Cahuc & Sandra Nevoux, 2019. "Inefficient Short-Time Work," SciencePo Working papers hal-03393097, HAL.
    14. repec:hal:wpspec:info:hdl:2441/68ufmnnh3j9vmblf03huqt18qe is not listed on IDEAS
    15. Brey, Björn & Hertweck, Matthias S., 2020. "The Extension Of Short-Time Work Schemes During The Great Recession: A Story Of Success?," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(2), pages 360-402, March.
    16. Tito Boeri & Pierre Cahuc, 2022. "Labor Market Insurance Policies in the XXI Century," SciencePo Working papers Main hal-03878719, HAL.
    17. repec:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/6596a4s9af8lt872jnqvm5jg73 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/6596a4s9af8lt872jnqvm5jg73 is not listed on IDEAS
    19. José M. Arranz & Carlos García†Serrano & Virginia Hernanz, 2018. "Short†Time Work and Employment Stability: Evidence from a Policy Change," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 56(1), pages 189-222, March.
    20. repec:spo:wpecon:info:hdl:2441/68ufmnnh3j9vmblf03huqt18qe is not listed on IDEAS
    21. repec:spo:wpecon:info:hdl:2441/6596a4s9af8lt872jnqvm5jg73 is not listed on IDEAS
    22. Cahuc, Pierre, 2024. "The Micro and Macro Economics of Short-Time Work," IZA Discussion Papers 17111, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    global financial crisis; short-time work;

    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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