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Entrepreneurship And Income Distribution Dynamics: Why Is The Income Share Of Top Income Earners Acyclical Over The Business Cycle?

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  • Noh‐Sun Kwark
  • Eunseong Ma

Abstract

In the United States, the income share of the top 5% income group is acyclical over the business cycle. This study attempts to explain the cyclical behavior of the income distribution over the business cycle, particularly focusing on the top 5% income earners' share, using a heterogeneous agent model featuring a choice to become an entrepreneur. The model economy successfully reproduces the acyclical behavior of the income share of the top 5%. During expansions, relatively more people become entrepreneurs at the top, which offsets the decline in the income share of the high‐income earners from workers' side.

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  • Noh‐Sun Kwark & Eunseong Ma, 2021. "Entrepreneurship And Income Distribution Dynamics: Why Is The Income Share Of Top Income Earners Acyclical Over The Business Cycle?," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 62(1), pages 321-356, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:iecrev:v:62:y:2021:i:1:p:321-356
    DOI: 10.1111/iere.12489
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    2. Naijia Guo & Charles Ka Yui Leung, 2021. "Do elite colleges matter? The impact on entrepreneurship decisions and career dynamics," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 12(4), pages 1347-1397, November.

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