Why does employment in all major sectors move together over the business cycle?

B-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Dynamics
Year: 2016
Volume: 22
Pages: 131-156

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

The labor input is correlated across all major sectors. I argue that this mostly stems from fluctuations in employment, rather than hours. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the cross-sector correlation of the extensive margin. This paper advances the literature on cross-sector correlations by making unemployment an explicit feature of the model. I construct a two-sector model with search and matching friction, wage rigidity, and capital adjustment costs. The model explains the positive cross-sector correlation through characterizing movements into and out of unemployment in both sectors. Moreover, the results suggest a link between the ``co-movement'' and the "unemployment volatility" puzzles. (Copyright: Elsevier)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:red:issued:14-20
Journal Field
Macro
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29