gender pay gap

Abstract

This paper investigates women's and men's labor supply to the firm
within a structural approach based on a dynamic model of new
monopsony. Using methods of survival analysis and a large linked
employer-employee dataset for Germany, we find that labor supply
elasticities are small (1.9-3.7) and that women's labor supply to the firm
is less elas~ic than men's (which is the reverse of gender differences in
labor supply usually found at the level of the market). Our results imply
that about one third of the gender pay gap might be wage discrimination
by profit-maximizing monopsonistic employers.

Year of Publication
2008
Number
541
Date Published
12/2008
Publication Language
eng
Citation Key
7899
Hirsch, B., Schank, T., & Schnabel, C. (2008). Gender Differences in Labor Supply to Monopsonistic Firms: An Empirical Analysis Using Linked Employer-Employee Data from Germany. Retrieved from http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01gq67jr170 (Original work published December 2008)
Working Papers
Abstract

Low-wage labor markets are traditionally viewed as competitive,
and the possibility of strategic behavior by employers is dismissed.
However, such behavior is not impossible. This paper investigates the
possibility of tacit collusion by low-wage employers while setting wages.
A game-theoretic explanation along the lines of the Folk theorem is offered,
suggesting that a non-binding minimum wage may serve as a
focal point for tacit collusion, proposing a symmetric solution to an
infinitely played game of wage-setting. Several empirical techniques
were employed in testing the hypothesis, including hurdle models of
collusion. CPS monthly data is used for the years 1990-2005, covering
the last four federal minimum wage increases. The likelihood of collusion
at minimum wage is evaluated, as well as its dynamics during
this period. The results generally support the collusion hypothesis and
suggest that employers respond strategically to changes in minimum
wage legislation while using the statutory minimum wage as a coordination
tool in tacit collusion.

Year of Publication
2008
Number
542
Date Published
12/2008
Publication Language
eng
Citation Key
8394
Shelkova, N. (2008). Low-Wage Labor Markets and the Power of Suggestion. Retrieved from http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01j38606940 (Original work published December 2008)
Working Papers