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Why are similar workers paid differently ? The role of social networks

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  • Francois Fontaine

    (BETA - Bureau d'Économie Théorique et Appliquée - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - UNISTRA - Université de Strasbourg - UL - Université de Lorraine - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, IZA - Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit - Institute of Labor Economics)

Abstract

We provide a matching model where identical workers are embedded in ex ante identical social networks. Job arrival rate is endogenous and wages are bargained. We study the evolution of networks over time and characterize the equilibrium distribution of unemployment rates across networks. Within our framework wage dispersion arises endogenously as the consequence of the dynamics of networks, firms' strategies and wage bargaining. We show that networks induce new search externalities which shape the dynamics of the labor market. Our endogenous framework allows us to quantify these effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Francois Fontaine, 2005. "Why are similar workers paid differently ? The role of social networks," Post-Print hal-00278695, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00278695
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2008.04.009
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social networks; Job search; Matching; Wage dispersion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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