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Labour unionisation structure and product innovation

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  • Basak, Debasmita
  • Mukherjee, Arijit

Abstract

This paper contributes to the recently growing literature by examining the effects of different labour unionisation structures on innovation. Using a Cournot duopoly setup, we investigate the effects of centralised and decentralised labour unions on product innovation. We show that if the products are symmetrically differentiated, the incentive for innovation is higher under decentralised labour unions, whereas the innovation incentive can be higher under a centralised labour union if the products are asymmetrically differentiated. Our results show that social welfare is strictly higher under decentralised unions compared to a centralised union.

Suggested Citation

  • Basak, Debasmita & Mukherjee, Arijit, 2018. "Labour unionisation structure and product innovation," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 98-110.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:55:y:2018:i:c:p:98-110
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2017.12.013
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    2. Akio Kawasaki & Tomomichi Mizuno & Kazuhiro Takauchi, 2023. "Downstream new product development and upstream process innovation," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 140(3), pages 209-231, December.
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    4. Liu, Baohua & Sun, Pei-Yu & Zeng, Yongliang, 2020. "Employee-related corporate social responsibilities and corporate innovation: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 357-372.
    5. Jiang, Xiandeng & Yang, Jin & Yang, Wei & Zhang, Jian, 2021. "Do employees’ voices matter? Unionization and corporate environmental responsibility," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1265-1281.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Centralised union; Decentralised union; Product innovation; Union utility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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