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Turnover and the Dynamics of Labor Demand

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  • Daniel S. Hamermesh
  • Gerard Pfann

Abstract

The theory of the dynamics of labor demand is based either on the costs of adjusting the level of employment or on the costs of hiring or firing (of gross changes in employment). We write down a generalized cost of adjustment function that includes both types of cost and allows for asymmetries in those costs. We derive the firm's rational-expectations profit - maximizing path of employment demand and the Euler equation whose parameters we estimate. Identifying the two types of costs requires complete data on turnover, which were available for the U.S. through 1981. We use these data for manufacturing to demonstrate that both types of adjustment cost figure in the representative firm's profit-maximizing decisions about employment, and that both types of cost are asymmetric (leading here to quicker increases than decreases in employment).

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel S. Hamermesh & Gerard Pfann, 1992. "Turnover and the Dynamics of Labor Demand," NBER Working Papers 4204, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:4204
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    7. Gerard A. Pfann & Franz C. Palm, 1993. "Asymmetric Adjustment Costs in Non-linear Labour Demand Models for the Netherlands and U.K. Manufacturing Sectors," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 60(2), pages 397-412.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stevens, Philip Andrew, 2007. "Skill shortages and firms' employment behaviour," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 231-249, April.
    2. Cohen-Goldner, Sarit & Paserman, M. Daniele, 2011. "The dynamic impact of immigration on natives' labor market outcomes: Evidence from Israel," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(8), pages 1027-1045.
    3. Karoly Fazekas & Jeno Koltay (ed.), 2003. "The Hungarian Labour Market 2003," The Hungarian Labour Market Yearbooks, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, number 2003, December.
    4. Jacek Socha, 2005. "Popyt na pracę w średnich i dużych przedsiębiorstwach przemysłu przetwórczego w Polsce w latach 1996-2003," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 7-8, pages 65-84.
    5. Palm, Franz C. & Pfann, Gerard A., 1998. "Sources of asymmetry in production factor dynamics," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 82(2), pages 361-392, February.
    6. Orellano, Veronica I. F. & Picchetti, Paulo, 2005. "An Analysis of Quit and Dismissal Determinants between 1988 and 1999 using the Bivariate Probit Model," Brazilian Review of Econometrics, Sociedade Brasileira de Econometria - SBE, vol. 25(1), May.

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