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What Drives Worker Flows?

Author

Listed:
  • Chew Lian Chua

    (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne)

  • Robert Dixon

    (Department of Economics, The University Melbourne)

  • G. C. Lim

    (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne)

Abstract

This paper applies a multi-state latent factor intensity model to worker flows to obtain insights about the determinants of entry and exit rates pertaining to various labour market states. The analysis shows that one activity factor underpins the decision to move from employment and from unemployment and this result may be of special interest to policy makers concerned with understanding the rate of departures from the pool of both the employed and (especially) the unemployed. The paper also shows how to estimate a non-linear state space model using a Gibbs sampler that encompasses a Metropolis-Hastings algorithm as well as the auxiliary particle filter to estimate the latent process. The advantage of the approach is that it provides a parsimonious and efficient way to obtain key information about behaviour in labour markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Chew Lian Chua & Robert Dixon & G. C. Lim, 2007. "What Drives Worker Flows?," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2007n34, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    • Handle: RePEc:iae:iaewps:wp2007n34
    as

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    File URL: http://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/downloads/working_paper_series/wp2007n34.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    4. Koopman, Siem Jan & Lucas, Andre & Monteiro, Andre, 2008. "The multi-state latent factor intensity model for credit rating transitions," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 142(1), pages 399-424, January.
    5. Robert Dixon & John Freebairn & Guay Lim, 2005. "An Examination of Net Flows in the Australian Labour Market," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 8(1), pages 25-42, March.
    6. Robert Dixon & John Freebairn & Guay Lim, 2007. "Time-varying equilibrium rates of unemployment: an analysis with Australian data," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 10(4), pages 205-225.
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    13. Robert Dixon & G.C. Lim, 2002. "Australian gross flows data: the labour force survey and the size of the population represented by the matched sample," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 5(1), pages 1-21, March.
    14. Mortensen, Dale T, 1970. "Job Search, the Duration of Unemployment, and the Phillips Curve," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 60(5), pages 847-862, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ponomareva, Natalia & Sheen, Jeffrey, 2013. "Australian labor market dynamics across the ages," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 453-463.

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