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Labor Market Transitions and the Wage Structure in Germany

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  • Garloff Alfred

    (Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung GmbH, Department of Labour Markets, Human Resources, and Social Policy, PO Box 103443, D-68034 Mannheim, Germany)

  • Fitzenberger Bernd

    (Professor of Labor Economics, School of Business and Economics Goethe- University, PO Box 11 19 32 (PF 247), D-60054 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

Abstract

Equilibrium search theory suggests that the wage distribution in a cross section of workers is closely related to labor market transitions and associated wage changes. Accordingly, job-to-job transitions are central in explaining the wage distribution. This paper uses the IAB employment subsample 1975-2001 to describe the empirics of labor market transitions and the wage structure in Germany. Motivated by search theory, we use the data to explore descriptively labor market transitions and features of the wage structure. We find that labor market transition rates vary substantially over the business cycle and with individual characteristics. Regarding job-to-job transitions, we find huge wage changes. Most job changes involve considerable gains, but a sizeable number of individuals incurs a remarkable loss. Regarding the wage structure, we find strong effects of job-to-job transitions, age, and education on wage mobility. Based on our descriptive analysis, we conclude that indeed a close relationship exists between wages and labor market transitions as predicted by search theory. However, the noticeable share of wage losses following job-to-job changes contradicts a simple search-theoretic perspective.

Suggested Citation

  • Garloff Alfred & Fitzenberger Bernd, 2007. "Labor Market Transitions and the Wage Structure in Germany," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 227(2), pages 115-152, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:jns:jbstat:v:227:y:2007:i:2:p:115-152:n:2
    DOI: 10.1515/jbnst-2007-0202
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    2. Möller, Joachim & Bender, Stefan & König, Marion & vom Berge, Philipp & Umkehrer, Matthias & Wolter, Stefanie & Schaffner, Sandra & Bachmann, Ronald & Kröger, Hanna & Janßen-Timmen, Ronald & Paloyo, A, 2011. "Evaluation bestehender gesetzlicher Mindestlohnregelungen: Branche: Bauhauptgewerbe. Forschungsauftrag des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS). Endbericht," RWI Projektberichte, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, number 72591.
    3. Matthias Dütsch & Olaf Struck, 2014. "Employment trajectories in Germany: do firm characteristics and regional disparities matter? [Erwerbsverläufe in Deutschland: Zur Bedeutung betrieblicher Charakteristika und regionaler Disparitäten," Journal for Labour Market Research, Springer;Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), vol. 47(1), pages 107-127, March.
    4. Garloff, Alfred, 2008. "Minimum wages, wage dispersion and unemployment : a review on new search models," IAB-Discussion Paper 200833, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    5. Tsou, Meng-Wen & Liu, Jin-Tan & Hammitt, James K. & Chang, Ching-Fu, 2013. "The impact of foreign direct investment in China on employment adjustments in Taiwan: Evidence from matched employer–employee data," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 25, pages 68-79.
    6. Christian Pfeifer & Stefan Schneck, 2012. "Relative Wage Positions and Quit Behavior: Evidence from Linked Employer-Employee Data," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 65(1), pages 126-147, January.

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