Showing papers by "Harry J. Holzer published in 1991"

The Spatial Mismatch Hypothesis: What Has the Evidence Shown?:

Abstract: This paper reviews 20 years' worth of empirical evidence on the 'spatial mismatch' hypothesis. After briefly surveying the relevant models from urban and labour economics and recent trends in employment and population suburbanisation, the empirical evidence on spatial effects is examined. This literature includes evidence on the effects of residential segregation, residential suburbanisation and employment suburbanisation, and direct measures of 'access' (such as travel times). The most recent evidence suggests that spatial mismatch is relevant for explaining black/white employment differences, though the magnitudes of these effects remain unclear.

Job Queues and Wages

Abstract: This paper uses job applications data to investigate the relationship between job queues and wage differentials. The main finding is that openings for jobs that pay the minimum wage attract more job applicants than jobs that pay either slightly more or slightly less than the minimum wage. This spike in the job application rate distribution suggests that ex ante rents generated for employees by an above market-level minimum wage are not completely dissipated by reductions in nonwage benefits. In addition, we find that highly unionized firms, large firms, and firms in high-wage industries tend to receive relatively many job applicants for openings.

Industrial Shifts, Skills Levels, and the Labor Market for White and Black Males

Abstract: In this paper we estimate the effects of industrial shifts in the 1970s and 1980s on the wages and employment of black and white males. We use micro Census data for 52 MSAs, and estimate effects separately by age and education group. The results show that industrial shifts did reduce demand for blacks and 1essskilled males in 1970s and 1980s. Demand shifts away from manufacturing, in particular, reduced employment and wages for black and white males. While the magnitudes of these effects are fairly small for many groups, they can account for one-third to one-half of the employment decline for less-educated young blacks in the 1970s. These results imply fairly large effects on the earnings of less-skilled males in the 1980s as well.

Employment, Unemployment and Demand Shifts in Local Labor Markets

Abstract: This paper analyzes the effects of demand shifts within and between local labor markets on unemployment and employment outcomes observed in those markets. The demand shifts are calculated from sales growth data at the firm and industry levels. The results show that, in general, employment and wage adjustments by firms are primarily driven by shifts in labor demand. Demand shifts between local areas account for large fractions of the observed variation in unemployment and employment rate levels and changes across areas. Within-area shifts cause much smaller and insignificant amounts of unemployment, and only if they are between-industry. Copyright 1991 by MIT Press.

Industrial Shifts, Skills Levels, and the Labor Market for White and Black Males

Abstract: In this paper we estimate the effects of industrial shifts in the 1970s and 1980s on the wages and employment of black and white males. We use micro Census data for 52 MSAs, and estimate effects separately by age and education group. The results show that industrial shifts did reduce demand for blacks and 1essskilled males in 1970s and 1980s. Demand shifts away from manufacturing, in particular, reduced employment and wages for black and white males. While the magnitudes of these effects are fairly small for many groups, they can account for one-third to one-half of the employment decline for less-educated young blacks in the 1970s. These results imply fairly large effects on the earnings of less-skilled males in the 1980s as well.