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Journal of Labor Economics Vol. 14 No. 1 1996

An Empirical Model of Sectoral Movements by Unemployed Workers

Jonathan M. Thomas

Abstract

Using Canadian data, I investigate the relationships among sectoral mobility, unemployment spells, and total unemployment. Recent North American evidence suggests that incidence shifts toward high wage-high tenure workers may increase equilibrium unemployment through decreasing sectoral mobility and increasing spells. Using a multiple spell transition model, I find that, while shifts toward such workers may have these effects, composition changes that lead to higher mobility can also increase unemployment. A further investigation into the relative roles of mobility and spell lengths in driving total unemployment indicates that the influence of the former is comparatively small.

DOI
10.1086/209806
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
126-153
Language
en
Sources
openalex crossref

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