The Business Cycle Implications of Reciprocity in Labor Relations
CIRPEE Working Paper 07-43
50 Pages Posted: 27 Nov 2007
Abstract
We develop a reciprocity-based model of wage determination and incorporate it into a modern dynamic general equilibrium framework. We estimate the model and find that, among potential determinants of wage policy, rent-sharing (between workers and firms) and a measure of wage entitlement are critical to fit the dynamic responses of hours, wages and inflation to various exogenous shocks. Aggregate employment conditions (measuring workers' outside option), on the other hand, are found to play only a negligible role in wage setting. These results are broadly consistent with micro-studies on reciprocity in labor relations but contrast with traditional efficiency wage models which emphasize aggregate labor market variables as the main determinant of wage setting. Overall, the empirical fit of the estimated model is at least as good as the fit of models postulating nominal wage contracts. In particular, the reciprocity model is more successful in generating the sharp and significant fall of inflation and nominal wage growth in response to a neutral technology shock.
Keywords: Efficiency wages, Reciprocity, Estimated DSGE models
JEL Classification: E24, E31, E32, E52, J50
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?
Recommended Papers
-
Nominal Rigidities and the Dynamic Effects of a Shock to Monetary Policy
By Lawrence J. Christiano, Martin Eichenbaum, ...
-
Nominal Rigidities and the Dynamic Effects of a Shock to Monetary Policy
By Lawrence J. Christiano, Martin Eichenbaum, ...
-
An Estimated Stochastic Dynamic General Equilibrium Model of the Euro Area
By Frank Smets and Rafael Wouters
-
An Estimated Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Model of the Euro Area
By Frank Smets and Rafael Wouters
-
Optimal Monetary Policy with Staggered Wage and Price Contracts
By Christopher J. Erceg, Dale W. Henderson, ...
-
Shocks and Frictions in Us Business Cycles: A Bayesian DSGE Approach
By Frank Smets and Rafael Wouters
-
Shocks and Frictions in US Business Cycles: A Bayesian DSGE Approach
By Frank Smets and Rafael Wouters
-
Shocks and Frictions in U.S. Business Cycles: A Bayesian DSGE Approach
By Frank Smets and Rafael Wouters
-
Resuscitating Real Business Cycles
By Robert G. King and Sergio T. Rebelo
-
Has Monetary Policy Become More Effective?
By Jean Boivin and Marc P. Giannoni