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Excess Labor and the Business Cycle

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  • Ray C. Fair

Abstract

This paper compares the Medoff-Fay estimates of labor hoarding during troughs, which are based on data from manufacturing plants, with aggregate estimates of excess labor on hand.The two sets of estimates seem consistent, which provides a strong argument in favor of the excess labor hypothesis. This is one of the few examples in macroeconomics where a hypothesis has been so strongly confirmed using detailed micro data.

Suggested Citation

  • Ray C. Fair, 1984. "Excess Labor and the Business Cycle," NBER Working Papers 1292, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:1292
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    1. Fay, Jon A & Medoff, James L, 1985. "Labor and Output over the Business Cycle: Some Direct Evidence," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 75(4), pages 638-655, September.
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