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Environmental policy, firm dynamics and wage inequality in developing countries

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  • Ee, Mong Shan
  • Chao, Chi-Chur
  • Liu, Xiangbo
  • Yu, Eden S.H.

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of pollution taxes on wage gap, social welfare and the environment of a developing economy. In the short run, we find that a rise in the pollution tax has an ambiguous effect on the skilled-unskilled wage gap. However, the higher pollution tax can cause urban firms to exit in the long run. Capital is released to the rural sector and benefits the production of rural workers. These predictions are empirically validated. The higher pollution tax can yield a double dividend by not only reducing pollution emissions, but also mitigating skilled-unskilled wage gap in the economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Ee, Mong Shan & Chao, Chi-Chur & Liu, Xiangbo & Yu, Eden S.H., 2018. "Environmental policy, firm dynamics and wage inequality in developing countries," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 70-85.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:57:y:2018:i:c:p:70-85
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2018.02.013
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    Cited by:

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    6. Kuo‐Hsing Kuo & Shang‐Fen Wu & Cheng‐Te Lee, 2022. "The impact of environmental policy on wage inequality," International Journal of Economic Theory, The International Society for Economic Theory, vol. 18(4), pages 472-485, December.
    7. Liu, Yun & Zhang, Yifei & Yang, Yuxin & Chen, Xin, 2023. "Dark side of environmental regulation: Wage inequality cost," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(2), pages 524-544.
    8. Chi‐Chur Chao & Leonard F. S. Wang, 2022. "Corporate governance, firm dynamics, and wage inequality," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 90(3), pages 341-353, June.

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