Competition, human capital and income inequality with limited commitment

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Theory
Year: 2011
Volume: 146
Issue: 3
Pages: 976-1008

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

We develop a dynamic model with two-sided limited commitment to study how barriers to competition, such as restrictions to business start-up and non-competitive covenants, affect the incentive to accumulate human capital. When contracts are not enforceable, high barriers lower the outside value of 'skilled workers' and reduce the incentive to accumulate human capital. In contrast, low barriers can result in over-accumulation of human capital. This can be socially optimal if there are positive spillovers. A calibration exercise shows that this mechanism can account for a sizable portion of cross-country income inequality.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jetheo:v:146:y:2011:i:3:p:976-1008
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29