This paper studies the relationship between wages and the degree of firm heterogeneity in a given industry under different wage setting structures. To derive testable hypotheses, we set up a theoretical model that analyses the sensitivity of wages to the variability in productivity conditions in...

Using a linked employer-employee data set, this paper analyses the relationship between firm profitability and wages. Particular emphasis is given to the question of whether the sensitivity of wages to firm-specific rents varies with collective bargaining coverage. To address this issue, we...

Using a large linked employer-employee data set, this paper presents new evidence on the wage premium under collective bargaining contracts in western and eastern Germany. The novel feature of our analysis is that we use a longitudinal data set. In contrast to previous studies, we seek to assess...

Das deutsche Lohnbildungssystem ist in den letzten Jahren verstärkt in den Mittelpunkt der Kritik geraten. Vor allem das System flächen- und branchenübergreifender Tarifverträge muss sich der Kritik aussetzen, eine Anpassung von Löhnen an betriebsspezifische Erfordernisse zu behindern....

Das System branchen- und flächendeckender Tarifverträge musste sich in der wirtschaftspolitischen Diskussion häufig der Kritik aussetzen, die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit insbesondere unterdurchschnittlich produktiver Unternehmen zu beeinträchtigen. Von zentraler Bedeutung ist hierbei, inwiefern...

In a framework of a unionised oligopoly, this paper reconsiders the impact of the bargaining structure on union wages. In particular, two dimensions along which centralisation may occur, namely the professional and firm line, are integrated into one modelling framework. It will be shown that,...

Using a linked employer-employee data set, this paper analyses the relationship between firm-profitability and wages. Particular emphasis is given to the question of whether the sensitivity of wages to firm-specific rents varies with collective bargaining coverage. To address this issue, we...