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Wages, Layoffs, and privatization: Evidence from Ukraine

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Abstract

This paper estimates the effects of privatization on worker separations and wages using retrospective data from a national probability sample of Ukrainian households. Detailed worker characteristics are used to control for compositional differences and to assess types of observable "winners" and "losers" from privatization. Pre-privatization worker-firm matches are used to control for unobservables in worker and firm selection. The results imply that privatization reduces wages by 5 percent and cuts the layoff probability in half. Outside investor ownership reduces separations but leaves wages unaffected. Winners from privatization tend to be higher-skilled employees of larger firms, but there is no discernable relationship with gender, education, or experience.
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  • J. David Brown & John S. Earle & Volodymyr Vakhitov, "undated". "Wages, Layoffs, and privatization: Evidence from Ukraine," Upjohn Working Papers jse20064, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:upj:weupjo:jse20064
    Note: Appears in Journal of Comparative Economics 34(2): 272-294
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    Cited by:

    1. Hartmut Lehmann & Alexander Muravyev & Klaus Zimmermann, 2012. "The Ukrainian longitudinal monitoring survey: towards a better understanding of labor markets in transition," IZA Journal of Labor & Development, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 1(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Figueiredo, Adelaide & Figueiredo, Fernanda & Monteiro, Natália P. & Straume, Odd Rune, 2012. "Restructuring in privatised firms: A Statis approach," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 108-116.
    3. J. David Brown & John S. Earle & Solomiya Shpak & Volodymyr Vakhitov, 2019. "Is Privatization Working in Ukraine?," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 61(1), pages 1-35, March.
    4. Mathur, Ike & Banchuenvijit, Wanrapee, 2007. "The effects of privatization on the performance of newly privatized firms in emerging markets," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 8(2), pages 134-146, May.
    5. John S. Earle & Scott Gehlbach, 2010. ""Mass Privatisation and the Post-Communist Mortality Crisis": Is There Really a Relationship?," Upjohn Working Papers 10-162, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
    6. Brown, J. David & Earle, John S. & Shpak, Solomiya & Vakhitov, Volodymyr, 2015. "Is Privatization Working in Ukraine? New Estimates from Comprehensive Manufacturing Firm Data, 1989-2013," IZA Discussion Papers 9261, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. John S. Earle & Solomiya Shpak, 2019. "Impact of privatization on employment and earnings," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 1-93, June.
    8. Danzer, Natalia, 2019. "Job satisfaction and self-selection into the public or private sector: Evidence from a natural experiment," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 46-62.
    9. O'Toole, Conor M. & Morgenroth, Edgar L.W. & Ha, Thuy T., 2016. "Investment efficiency, state-owned enterprises and privatisation: Evidence from Viet Nam in Transition," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 93-108.
    10. Alberto Chong & Gianmarco León, 2007. "Privatized Firms, Rule of Law and Labor Outcomes in Emerging Markets," Research Department Publications 4524, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    11. Chreneková Marcela & Melichová Katarína & Marišová Eleonóra & Moroz Serhiy, 2016. "Informal Employment and Quality of Life in Rural Areas of Ukraine," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 8(2), pages 135-146, June.
    12. Alberto Chong & Gianmarco León, 2007. "Empresas privatizadas, instituciones y consecuencias laborales en paises emergentes," Research Department Publications 4525, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    wages; layoffs; privatization; transition economies; ukraine;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • P2 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies
    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs

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