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Labour Market Institutions Without Blinders: The Debate over Flexibility and Labour Market Performance

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  • Richard B. Freeman

Abstract

The debate over the influence of labour market flexibility on performance is unlikely to be settled by additional studies using aggregate data and making cross-country comparisons. While this approach holds little promise, micro-analysis of workers and firms and increased use of experimental methods represent a path forward. Steps along this path could help end the current 'lawyer's case' empiricism in which priors dominate evidence.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard B. Freeman, 2005. "Labour Market Institutions Without Blinders: The Debate over Flexibility and Labour Market Performance," NBER Working Papers 11286, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:11286
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    JEL classification:

    • J0 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General

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