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The Matching Process: Search or Mismatch?

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  • Nils Gottfries
  • Karolina Stadin

Abstract

We examine the matching process using monthly panel data for local labour markets in Sweden. We find that an increase in the number of vacancies has a weak effect on the number of unemployed workers being hired: unemployed workers appear to be unable to compete for many available jobs. Vacancies are filled quickly and there is no (or only weak) evidence that high unemployment makes it easier to fill vacancies; hiring appears to be determined by labour demand while frictions and labour supply play small roles. These results indicate persistent mismatch in the labour market.

Suggested Citation

  • Nils Gottfries & Karolina Stadin, 2017. "The Matching Process: Search or Mismatch?," CESifo Working Paper Series 6300, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_6300
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    structural unemployment; frictional unemployment; matching function; labour demand; labour supply;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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