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Why do capital intensive companies pay higher wages?

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  • Virén, Matti

Abstract

An obvious answer to this question is the capital-skill complementarity hypothesis originally proposed by Zwi Griliches (1969). But the relatively poor performance of this hypothesis suggests that other explanations are needed. Here we consider the labour union behaviour in the wage bargaining process as such an alternative. The explanation is based on the observation that capital intensive companies are more vulnerable to strike threats and may thus more easily give in for union wage demand. Thus, the bargaining power of unions is related to the capital-labour ratio. This paper provides some tests for these hypotheses with panel data for Finnish companies. The results give support to the wage bargaining hypothesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Virén, Matti, 2005. "Why do capital intensive companies pay higher wages?," Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers 5/2005, Bank of Finland.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:bofrdp:rdp2005_005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    wages; bargaining; wage distribution; panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects

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