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International Competitiveness, Job Creation and Job Destruction - An Establishment Level Study of German Job Flows

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  • Urban, Dieter M
  • Weder di Mauro, Beatrice
  • Moser, Christoph

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of international competitiveness on net employment, job creation, job destruction, and gross job flows for a representative sample of German establishments from 1993 to 2005. We find a statistically significant but economically small effect of real exchange rate shocks on employment, comparable to the one found in studies for the United States. However, contrary to the United States, the employment adjustment (among surviving firms) operates mainly through the job creation rather than the job destruction rate. Job destruction occurs essentially through discrete events such as restructuring, outsourcing and bankruptcy. We suggest that these findings are consistent with a highly regulated labour market, in which smooth adjustment is costly and possibly delayed.

Suggested Citation

  • Urban, Dieter M & Weder di Mauro, Beatrice & Moser, Christoph, 2008. "International Competitiveness, Job Creation and Job Destruction - An Establishment Level Study of German Job Flows," CEPR Discussion Papers 6745, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:6745
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Attrition estimator; Gross worker flows; International competitiveness; Inverse probability weighted gmm; Real exchange rate;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions
    • F40 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - General

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