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Understanding the Gains from Wage Flexibility: The Exchange Rate Connection

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  • Galí, Jordi
  • Monacelli, Tommas

Abstract

We study the gains from increased wage flexibility and their dependence on exchange rate policy, using a small open economy model with staggered price and wage setting. Two results stand out: (i) the impact of wage adjustments on employment is smaller the more the central bank seeks to stabilize the exchange rate, and (ii) an increase in wage flexibility often reduces welfare, and more likely in economies under an exchange rate peg or an exchange rate-focused monetary policy. Our findings call into question the common view that wage flexibility is particularly desirable in a currency union.

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  • Galí, Jordi & Monacelli, Tommas, 2014. "Understanding the Gains from Wage Flexibility: The Exchange Rate Connection," CEPR Discussion Papers 9806, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:9806
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Currency unions; Exchange rate policy; Exchange rate regime; Monetary policy rules.; New keynesian model; Nominal rigidities; Stabilization policies; Stabilization policy; Sticky wages;
    All these keywords.

    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
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics

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