Testing for Keynesian Labor Demand

51 Pages Posted: 16 Jun 2012 Last revised: 3 Feb 2023

See all articles by Mark Bils

Mark Bils

University of Rochester - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Peter J. Klenow

Stanford University - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Ben Malin

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Date Written: June 2012

Abstract

According to the textbook Keynesian model, short-run demand for labor is sensitive to the demand for goods. In this view, sellers deviate from setting the marginal product of labor proportional to the real wage, instead enduring or choosing lower price markups when demand for goods is high. We test this prediction across U.S. industries in the two decades up through the Great Recession. To identify movements in goods demand, we exploit how durability varies across 70 categories of consumption and investment. We also take into account the flexibility of prices and capital-intensity of production across goods. We find evidence in support of Keynesian Labor Demand.

Suggested Citation

Bils, Mark and Klenow, Peter J. and Malin, Benjamin A., Testing for Keynesian Labor Demand (June 2012). NBER Working Paper No. w18149, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2085136

Mark Bils (Contact Author)

University of Rochester - Department of Economics ( email )

Harkness Hall
Rochester, NY 14627-0158
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Peter J. Klenow

Stanford University - Department of Economics ( email )

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Stanford, CA 94305-6072
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Benjamin A. Malin

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis ( email )

90 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55480
United States

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