The Levelling Effect of Product Market Competition on Gender Wage Discrimination

Hirsch B, Oberfichtner M, Schnabel C (2014)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Publisher: SpringerOpen

Book Volume: 3

Journal Issue: 19

DOI: 10.1186/s40172-014-0013-1

Abstract

Using linked employer-employee panel data for West Germany that include direct information on the competition faced by plants, we investigate the effect of product market competition on the gender pay gap. Controlling for match fixed effects we find that intensified competition significantly lowers the unexplained gap in plants with neither collective agreements nor a works council. Conversely, there is no effect in plants with these types of worker codetermination, which are unlikely to have enough discretion to adjust wages in the short run. We also document a larger competition effect in plants with few females in their workforces. Our findings are in line with Beckerian taste-based employer wage discrimination that is limited by competitive forces.

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How to cite

APA:

Hirsch, B., Oberfichtner, M., & Schnabel, C. (2014). The Levelling Effect of Product Market Competition on Gender Wage Discrimination. IZA Journal of Labor Economics, 3(19). https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40172-014-0013-1

MLA:

Hirsch, Boris, Michael Oberfichtner, and Claus Schnabel. "The Levelling Effect of Product Market Competition on Gender Wage Discrimination." IZA Journal of Labor Economics 3.19 (2014).

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