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A Stochastic Monopsony Theory of the Business Cycle

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  • James M. Holmes
  • Patricia A. Hutton

Abstract

Two distinct regimes, contractions and expansions, are generated in a model in which goods markets clear and all individuals are optimizing, strict wage and price takers, have fully rational expectations, and are heterogeneous in both preferences and resource endowments. Involuntary unemployment, asymmetric monetary policy effectiveness, and a changing relationship between real wages and employment over the business cycle are the result of optimizing behavior by monopsonistic, wage-setting, and price-taking firms faced with price uncertainty, an upward-sloped supply of employees, and efficiency wage behavior. Disequilibrium and involuntary unemployment can occur at the level of the individual firm's labor market. (JEL E32, E52, J41, J42) Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • James M. Holmes & Patricia A. Hutton, 2005. "A Stochastic Monopsony Theory of the Business Cycle," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 43(1), pages 206-219, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:ecinqu:v:43:y:2005:i:1:p:206-219
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • J41 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Labor Contracts
    • J42 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Monopsony; Segmented Labor Markets

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