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Job Qualities, Search Unemployment, and Public Policy

Author

Listed:
  • Jian Xin Heng

    (Yale University)

  • Benoit Julien

    (UNSW Australia)

  • John Kennes

    (Aarhus University)

  • Ian King

    (School of Economics, University of Queensland)

Abstract

We analyse the impact of public policy on unemployment and the qualities of jobs created in an economy with directed search frictions. Policy variables include unemployment benefits, job creation subsidies, and a graduated income tax structure with a government budget constraint. Firms choose to create either high or low quality jobs and bid for labor. We find, among other things, that neither the upper tax threshold nor the upper tax rate affect the mix of job qualities or unemployment, and that, while subsidies to high quality jobs affect the mix of job types, they have no effect on unemployment. We also identify a policy configuration that allows for the simultaneous existence of constrained efficiency, ex post equity, and a balanced government budget.

Suggested Citation

  • Jian Xin Heng & Benoit Julien & John Kennes & Ian King, 2016. "Job Qualities, Search Unemployment, and Public Policy," Discussion Papers Series 570, School of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.
    • Handle: RePEc:qld:uq2004:570
    as

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    File URL: https://economics.uq.edu.au/files/46185/570.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Directed search; job heterogeneity; public policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation

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