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Is Seniority-Based Pay Used as a Motivation Device? Evidence from Plant Level Data

Author

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  • Bayo-Moriones, Alberto

    (University of Navarra)

  • Galdon-Sanchez, Jose Enrique

    (Universidad Pública de Navarra)

  • Güell, Maia

    (University of Edinburgh)

Abstract

In this paper we use data from industrial plants to investigate if seniority-based pay is used as a motivational device for production workers. Alternatively, seniority-based pay could simply be a wage setting rule not necessarily related to the provision of incentives. Unlike previous papers, we use a direct measure of seniority-based pay as well as measures of monitoring devices and piece-rates. We find that firms that offer seniority-based pay are less likely to offer explicit incentives. They are also less likely to invest in monitoring devices. We also find that firms that offer seniority-based pay are more likely to engage in other human resource management policies that result in long employment relationships. Overall these results suggest that seniority-based pay is indeed used as a motivation device.

Suggested Citation

  • Bayo-Moriones, Alberto & Galdon-Sanchez, Jose Enrique & Güell, Maia, 2004. "Is Seniority-Based Pay Used as a Motivation Device? Evidence from Plant Level Data," IZA Discussion Papers 1321, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp1321
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    2. Alberto Bayo-Moriones & Jose E. Galdon-Sanchez & Sara Martinez-de-Morentin, 2017. "Performance Measurement and Incentive Intensity," Journal of Labor Research, Springer, vol. 38(4), pages 496-546, December.
    3. Kampkötter, Patrick & Sliwka, Dirk, 2014. "Wage premia for newly hired employees," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 45-60.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    monitoring; incentives; human resource management practices;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General

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