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Globalization and European Labour Markets

Author

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  • Burda, Michael C
  • Dluhosch, Barbara

Abstract

This paper examines the linkage between trade and the dismal state of labour markets in Europe. On the face of superficial evidence, the nexus is weak and is overshadowed by more compelling evidence of skill-biased technical change. Yet a complete dismissal of globalization is inconsistent with current opinions of businessmen, policy-makers and workers in globalized industries. We propose an alternative model in which globalization - defined as the increase in world trade relative to other indicators of real economic activity - occurs along with deterioration of labour market prospects, especially for the less-skilled. As an alternative or complement to conventional trade and technology explanations, we model both the fragmentation of production and resulting reallocation of economic activity across national boundaries as equilibrium responses to trading opportunities as well as the technology of production. Increasing integration is therefore linked to both trade as well as pervasive skill-biased technical change. The model's predictions are consistent with a number of outstanding empirical puzzles in the trade-wages debate and can also explain the bimodal growth in services (high and low skill) observed in all OECD countries, and especially those with deregulated labour markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Burda, Michael C & Dluhosch, Barbara, 1998. "Globalization and European Labour Markets," CEPR Discussion Papers 1992, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:1992
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Michael C. Burda & Barbara Dluhosch, 2002. "Fragmentation, Globalisation and Labour Markets," International Economic Association Series, in: David Greenaway & Richard Upward & Katharine Wakelin (ed.), Trade, Investment, Migration and Labour Market Adjustment, chapter 4, pages 47-65, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Joseph F. Francois & Douglas Nelson, 2002. "A Geometry Of Specialisation," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 112(481), pages 649-678, July.
    3. Saiah Lee, 2023. "Macroeconomic Conditions and Wage Inequality: Expanding and Analyzing the Worldwide Dataset," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 24(2), pages 329-362, November.
    4. Ekholm, Karolina & Midelfart, Karen Helene, 2005. "Relative wages and trade-induced changes in technology," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(6), pages 1637-1663, August.
    5. Michael C. Burda & Barbara Dluhosch, 2002. "Cost Competition, Fragmentation, and Globalization," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 10(3), pages 424-441, August.
    6. Lücke, Matthias, 1999. "Sectoral value added prices, TFP growth, and the low-skilled wage in high-income countries," Kiel Working Papers 923, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    European Labour Markets; International Trade; organization of production; Services; technology choice; vertical division of labour;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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