How Much Should We Trust Estimates of Firm Effects and Worker Sorting?

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2023
Volume: 41
Issue: 2
Pages: 291 - 322

Authors (6)

Stéphane Bonhomme (not in RePEc) Kerstin Holzheu (not in RePEc) Thibaut Lamadon (not in RePEc) Elena Manresa (not in RePEc) Magne Mogstad (University of Chicago) Bradley Setzler (Pennsylvania State University)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 6 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Many studies use matched employer-employee data to estimate a statistical model of earnings determination with worker and firm fixed effects. Estimates based on this model have produced influential yet controversial conclusions. The objective of this paper is to assess the sensitivity of these conclusions to the biases that arise because of limited mobility of workers across firms. We use employer-employee data from the United States and several European countries while taking advantage of both fixed effects and random effects methods for bias correction. We find that limited mobility bias is severe and that bias correction is important.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/720009
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
6
Added to Database
2026-01-26