Market Reforms in the Time of Imbalance

Fabio Ghironi, Matteo Cacciatore, Romain Duval and Giuseppe Fiori

No 11247, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We study the consequences of product and labor market reforms in a two-country model with endogenous producer entry and labor market frictions. We focus on the role of business cycle conditions and external constraints at the time of reform implementation (or of a credible commitment to it) in shaping the dynamic effects of such policies. Product market reform is modeled as a reduction in entry costs and takes place in a non-traded sector that produces services used as input in manufacturing production. Labor market reform is modeled as a reduction in firing costs and/or unemployment benefits. We find that business cycle conditions at the time of deregulation significantly affect adjustment. A reduction of firing costs entails larger and more persistent adverse short-run effects on employment and output when implemented in a recession. By contrast, a reduction in unemployment benefits boosts employment and output by more in a recession compared to normal times. The impact of product market reforms is less sensitive to business cycle conditions. Credible announcements about future reforms induce sizable short-run dynamics, regardless of whether the announcement takes place in normal times or during an economic downturn. Whether the immediate effect is expansionary or contractionary varies across reforms. Finally, lack of access to international lending in the wake of reform can amplify the costs of adjustment.

Keywords: Business cycle; External borrowing constraint; Labor market; Product market; Structural reforms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E24 E32 F41 J64 L51 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dge, nep-lab and nep-mac
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (69)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Market reforms in the time of imbalance (2016)
Working Paper: Market Reforms in the Time of Imbalance (2016)
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