Economics of Imperfect Labor Markets

Lecture + Tutorial | BA | 3 hrs | 6 cr | Schwerdt | engl. | ILIAS | ZEuS

Times and Rooms

Lectures:

Monday, 15:15-16:45, F425
Wednesday, 11:45-13:15, E402, bi-weekly

Tutorials:
Wednesday, 11:45-13:15, E402, bi-weekly

Course Description

The course puts a focus on labor market institutions and labor market policy. Emphasis will be placed on how public policy affects efficiency on labor markets and on the redistributive properties of institutions operating in imperfect labor markets, subject to market failures. Topics of interest include: minimum wages, unions, anti-discrimination legislation, regulation of working hours, early retirement, family policies, education, migration policies, EPL, unemployment benefits, active labor market policies and payroll taxes. For each institution, the courses presents and discusses the main definitions, available measures, stylized facts, relevant theories, empirical evidence on the causal effects on outcomes of interest, as well as current policy issues. After completion of the course, a student should be able to evaluate how changing economic conditions and public policy will affect the labor market, individuals and businesses.

Outline

1.    Introduction
2.    Labor Market Institutions: A Simple Theoretical Framework
3.    Estimating Effects of Labor Market Institutions: An Econometric Toolbox
4.    Minimum Wages
5.    Unions and Collective Bargaining Institutions
6.    Anti-Discrimination Legislation
7.    Regulation of Working Hours
8.    Early Retirement Plans
9.    Family Policies
10.  Education and Training
11.  Migration Policies
12.  Employment Protection Legislation
13.  Unemployment Benefits
14.  Active Labor Market Policies
15.  Payroll Taxes

Prerequisites and Assessment

Students should have a solid background in microeconomics and econometrics. Assessment will be based on a final exam. The exam will be in written form.

Syllabus and Course Material

For a detailed reading list see the Syllabus.

You have access to the course material via ILIAS.  A password will be provided in the first lecture.