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Heterogeneous Impacts of the Decentralization of Collective Bargaining

Author

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  • Kauhanen, Antti

    (ETLA - The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy)

  • Maczulskij, Terhi

    (ETLA - The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy)

  • Riukula, Krista

    (ETLA - The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy)

Abstract

This paper analyses the heterogeneous effects of the decentralization of collective bargaining on the incidence of wage increases and wage dispersion in Finland. We use linked employer-employee panel data for the 2005-2013 period, which includes major changes in bargaining systems and economic conditions. Our regression results from models with high-dimensional individual and firm fixed effects show that decentralized bargaining leads to very different outcomes for blue- and white-collar employees. Decentralized bargaining decreases wage dispersion among blue-collar employees and slightly increases it among white-collar employees. Decentralization also affects the incidence of wage increases differently for blue- and white-collar employees. We argue that these differences reflect the different preferences of the employee groups. We also show that the fallback option in local negotiations affects the decentralization outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Kauhanen, Antti & Maczulskij, Terhi & Riukula, Krista, 2020. "Heterogeneous Impacts of the Decentralization of Collective Bargaining," IZA Discussion Papers 13867, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp13867
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    Cited by:

    1. Jirjahn, Uwe, 2024. "Corporate Globalization and Worker Representation," IZA Discussion Papers 16727, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Antti Kauhanen, 2024. "The effects of the decentralization of collective bargaining on wages and wage dispersion: Evidence from the Finnish forest and IT industries," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 62(2), pages 319-334, June.
    3. Ramos, Raul & Sanromá, Esteban & Simón, Hipólito, 2022. "Collective bargaining levels, employment and wage inequality in Spain," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 375-395.
    4. Maczulskij, Terhi & Haapanen, Mika & Kauhanen, Antti & Riukula, Krista, 2021. "Dark Half: Decentralized Bargaining and Well-being at Work," ETLA Working Papers 89, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.
    5. Kauhanen, Antti, 2023. "The Effects of the Decentralization of Collective Bargaining on Wages and Wage Dispersion: Evidence from the Finnish Forest and IT Industries," ETLA Working Papers 105, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    decentralization; collective agreements; wage bargaining; wage increase; wage dispersion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • J52 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Dispute Resolution: Strikes, Arbitration, and Mediation

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