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Appropriation, firm dynamics, and wage inequality

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  • Eden S. H. Yu
  • Chi‐Chur Chao

Abstract

This paper examines the income distribution and welfare effects of appropriation activities in an economy. In the short run, with a given number of firms, appropriation can narrow wage inequality between skilled and unskilled labor when the capital resources accrued by appropriators are not large. However, wage inequality widens when the capital accrued is large. In the long run, with free entry and exit of firms, an increase in appropriation can cause firms to enter when the accrued capital is not large. This gives rise to a win–win outcome by raising the wages of skilled and unskilled labor. However, if accrued capital is large, firms exit and a lose–lose situation may occur in which skilled and unskilled wages are reduced.

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  • Eden S. H. Yu & Chi‐Chur Chao, 2021. "Appropriation, firm dynamics, and wage inequality," International Journal of Economic Theory, The International Society for Economic Theory, vol. 17(1), pages 118-129, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijethy:v:17:y:2021:i:1:p:118-129
    DOI: 10.1111/ijet.12294
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    2. Leonard F. S. Wang & Ji Sun, 2023. "Corporate profit tax, firm entry with unemployment, and income inequality," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 75(2), pages 380-392, April.
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    6. Shreya Roy & Sugata Marjit & Bibek Ray Chaudhuri, 2022. "Role of Artificial Intelligence in Intra-Sectoral Wage Inequality in an Open Economy: A Finite Change Approach," CESifo Working Paper Series 9862, CESifo.

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