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Worker Heterogeneity, New Monopsony, and Training

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  • Alison L. Booth
  • Gylfi Zoega

Abstract

. A worker's output depends not only on his/her own ability but also on that of colleagues, who can facilitate the performance of tasks that each individual cannot accomplish on his/her own. We show that this common‐sense observation generates monopsony power and is sufficient to explain why employers might expend resources on training employees even when the training is of use to other firms. We show that training will take place in better‐than‐average or ‘good’ firms enjoying greater monopsony power, whereas ‘bad’ firms will have low‐ability workers unlikely to receive much training.

Suggested Citation

  • Alison L. Booth & Gylfi Zoega, 2008. "Worker Heterogeneity, New Monopsony, and Training," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 22(2), pages 247-270, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:labour:v:22:y:2008:i:2:p:247-270
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9914.2007.00406.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David H. Autor, 2001. "Why Do Temporary Help Firms Provide Free General Skills Training?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 116(4), pages 1409-1448.
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    Cited by:

    1. Giuseppe Croce & Emanuela Ghignoni, 2012. "Employer-provided Training and Knowledge Spillovers: Evidence from Italian Local Labour Markets," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(3), pages 339-353, May.
    2. Görlitz, Katja & Rzepka, Sylvi, 2014. "Does Regional Training Supply Determine Employees' Training Participation?," Ruhr Economic Papers 479, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    3. Ronald Bachmann & Gökay Demir & Hanna Frings, 2022. "Labor Market Polarization, Job Tasks, and Monopsony Power," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 57(S), pages 11-49.
    4. Andrew Weaver, 2022. "Who Has Trouble Hiring? Evidence from a National IT Survey," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 75(3), pages 608-637, May.

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