Globalization and Union Opposition to Technological Change

31 Pages Posted: 26 Apr 2005

See all articles by Kjell Erik Lommerud

Kjell Erik Lommerud

University of Bergen - Department of Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Frode Meland

University of Bergen - Department of Economics

Odd Rune Straume

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute); University of Minho - Economic Policies Research Unit (NIPE)

Date Written: January 2005

Abstract

We find that trade unions have a rational incentive to oppose the adoption of labor-saving technology when labor demand is inelastic and unions care much for employment relative to wages. Trade liberalization typically increases trade union technology opposition. These conclusions are reached in a model of international duopoly with monopoly wage setting in one of the countries, and two-way trade. An important stepping-stone for the result is to note that even though trade liberalization means a tougher competitive environment for firms, labor demand tends to increase. We also find that the incentive for technology opposition is stronger in the more technologically advanced country and in the country with the larger home market, complementing earlier explanations for technological catch-up and leapfrogging.

Keywords: Trade liberalization, technology adaption, international unionized oligopoly

JEL Classification: F12, F16, J51, L13, O33

Suggested Citation

Lommerud, Kjell Erik and Meland, Frode and Straume, Odd Rune and Straume, Odd Rune, Globalization and Union Opposition to Technological Change (January 2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=711181

Kjell Erik Lommerud (Contact Author)

University of Bergen - Department of Economics ( email )

Fosswinckelsgt. 6
N-5007 Bergen, 5007
Norway
+47 5 558 9209 (Phone)
+47 5 558 9210 (Fax)

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

Frode Meland

University of Bergen - Department of Economics ( email )

Fosswinckelsgt. 6
N-5007 Bergen, 5007
Norway
+47 5 558 9230 (Phone)
+47 5 558 9210 (Fax)

Odd Rune Straume

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

University of Minho - Economic Policies Research Unit (NIPE) ( email )

Campus de Gualtar
Braga, 4710-057
Portugal

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