This paper analyses the impact of input uncertainty on labour demand. An ARCH-M model is incorporated into an error-correction framework which allows to model both short- and long-run labour demand. The conditional variance of unexpected output changes serves as a proxy for demand uncertainty. The output and employment equations are estimated simultaneously for the West-German manufacturing sector.

The paper extends the framework of the EUP to cover the effects of changes in the number of working hours. Beside this, a measure for the structural imbalances not only for the labour market (structural unemployment rate at equilibrium) but also for the goods market are presented. The empirical implementation introduces the concept of feasible working hours, which account for the maximal amount of overtime hours in the labour constraint. Simulation studies analyse the consequences of the present policy of German trade unions which bargain for a reduction of standard working hours. The main conclusions are: (i) The increasing mismatch on the goods market that is reported, basically results from an increasing mismatch on the labour market; (ii) reducing standard working hours might be a short-sighted policy; it may increase unemployment due to some induced substitution of workers by overtime work, and, moreover, due to the induced reduction of feasible working hours.

Cet article analyse l’effet sur l’emploi d’une baisse des cotisations patronales à la Sécurité Sociale. Selon la version belge du modèle macrosectoriel HERMES, cet effet est assez faible, en particulier si on le compare à des résultats issus du modèle de déséquilibre conçu au sein du European Unemployment Program. L’article décrit le modèle HERMES et présente une simulation des effets de la baisse de cotisations patronales. Trois sources d’explication sont avancées pour expliquer le désaccord entre le modèle macrosectoriel HERMES et le modèle macroéconomique de déséquilibre: (1) le caractère keynésien prédominant d’HERMES par opposition à l’approche de déséquilibre, (2) les équations d’exportation et (3) les effets de substitution entre le capital et le travail.

This paper is concerned with dynamic factor demand systems. First, for the intertemporal expected profit maximization problem given quadratic adjustment costs, it is shown that interrelations between factor inputs result from specific characteristics of the innovations in the technology – not from substitution or adjustment costs trade-off possibilities. Second, in line with the Lucas critique, the impact of a structural change in the process of the explanatory variables on the factor demand decision rules is analyzed. Third, the non-stationarity of the factor demand series can be accounted for by that of relative factor prices when demand and price series are cointegrated.

The model which allows for structural changes in the processes of the explanatory variables and for cointegration is applied to quarterly data for manufacturing in the Netherlands for the period 1971.1 – 1984. IV.

This paper presents a disequilibrium model for Switzerland, focusing on the production sector and the associated spillover effects. Firms' decisions on output supply, labor demand and investment are analysed on basis of a vintage approach, involving pressure of demand, profitability and relative prices as determinants. Macro relationships are derived by aggregating over micro markets on which regimes are allowed to differ. In the resulting nonlinear macro structure the response of output and employment to demand-side and supply-side factors varies through the cycle, depending on the regime-mix (measured by survey data). Inventories and unfilled orders act as buffer stocks, modifying the dynamic link between current demand and output.

Policy approach towards employment has changed under perestroïka. The emphasis is falling on the release of labour from the material branches and on its partial redeployment in the service sector in general and in the cooperative sphere in particular.The pattern of labour redeployment, however, does not suggest that under perestroïka the labour market has become less taut. Since cooperative and individual activities draw out of the state sphere the best cadres, the inefficiency of the state economy could increase. Recurrent criticism against cooperatives and price control measures indicate that political and ideological barriers against private enterprise are still considerable.

Il est bien connu qu’une large proportion de la force de travail n’est pas capable de se couvrir efficacement contre les risques macroéconomiques. En particulier, l’inexistence de contrats de travail “à terme” limite les possibilités de partage de risques efficace entre les jeunes générations de travailleurs et les détenteurs de capitaux. Dans ce cas, on montre qu’une certaine rigidité des salaires combinée à un système de sécurité sociale est en général supérieur au sens de Pareto ex ante à un système avec salaire flexible. A l’optimum, le produit total et l’emploi pourraient être accrus dans les mauvais états, mais ce serait au prix d’une détérioration inacceptable de l’efficacité des partages de risque.