How Sticky Wages in Existing Jobs Can Affect Hiring

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics
Year: 2022
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-37

Authors (3)

Mark Bils (not in RePEc) Yongsung Chang (not in RePEc) Sun-Bin Kim (Yonsei University)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

We consider a matching model of employment with flexible wages for new hires but sticky wages within matches. Unlike most models of sticky wages, we allow effort to respond if wages are too high or too low. In the Mortensen-Pissarides model, employment is not affected by wage stickiness in existing matches. But it is in our model. If wages of matched workers are stuck too high, firms require more effort, lowering the value of additional labor and reducing hiring. We find that effort's response can greatly increase wage inertia.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejmac:v:14:y:2022:i:1:p:1-37
Journal Field
Macro
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25