Job Destruction and the Experiences of Displaced Workers

51 Pages Posted: 5 Aug 1999 Last revised: 23 Sep 2022

See all articles by Wouter J. den Haan

Wouter J. den Haan

University of Amsterdam; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); Tinbergen Institute

Garey Ramey

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Department of Economics

Joel Watson

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Department of Economics

Date Written: July 1999

Abstract

This paper evaluates a class of endogenous job destruction models based on how well they explain the observed experiences of displaced workers. We show that pure reallocation models in which relationship-specific productivity drifts downward over time are difficult to reconcile with the evidence on postdisplacement wages and displacement rates. Pure reallocation models with upward drift can explain the evidence, but implausibly large and persistent negative productivity shocks are required to generate displacements. Combining upward drift with outside benefits or moral hazard as additional motives for displacement makes it possible to explain the evidence with much smaller shocks. Propagation of aggregate shocks, welfare implications of displacement, upgrade of relationships in lieu of displacement, and learning effects are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

Den Haan, Wouter J. and Ramey, Garey and Watson, Joel, Job Destruction and the Experiences of Displaced Workers (July 1999). NBER Working Paper No. w7218, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=171083

Wouter J. Den Haan (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam ( email )

Spui 21
Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://www1.feb.uva.nl/toe/content/people/content/denhaan/pers.htm

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

Tinbergen Institute ( email )

Burg. Oudlaan 50
Rotterdam, 3062 PA
Netherlands

Garey Ramey

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Department of Economics ( email )

9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0508
United States
858-534-5721 (Phone)
858-534-7040 (Fax)

Joel Watson

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Department of Economics ( email )

9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0508
United States
858-534-6132 (Phone)
619-534-7040 (Fax)

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