Reasons for Wage Rigidity in Germany

Wolfgang Franz and Friedhelm Pfeiffer

No 2017, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This study investigates institutional and economic reasons for downward wage rigidity regarding three occupational skill groups. Based on a survey of 801 firms in Germany and an econometric analysis, we find strong support for explanations based on the effects of labour union contracts and efficiency wages that differ between skill groups. Survey respondents indicate that labour union contracts and implicit contracts are important reasons for wage rigidity for the (less) skilled. Specific human capital and negative signals for new hires are causes of the stickiness of wages for the highly skilled. Compared with US evidence, German firms seem to attach more importance to labour union contracts and specific human capital.

Keywords: wage rigidity; labour union contracts; efficiency wage theory; implicit contract theory; regulation of labour (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J41 J51 K31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 31 pages
Date: 2006-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eec, nep-hrm, nep-lab and nep-law
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (86)

Published - published in: Labour, 2006, 20 (2), 255-284

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Related works:
Journal Article: Reasons for Wage Rigidity in Germany (2006)
Working Paper: Reasons for wage rigidity in Germany (2006)
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