Arbeitspapier
Within-establishment wage inequality and satisfaction
The aim of this paper is to provide fresh empirical evidence of the mechanisms through which wage inequality affects worker satisfaction. Theoretically, wages of others may affect workers' utility for two main reasons: Workers may derive well-being from their social status (comparison hypothesis) and/or they may use others wages to help predict their own future wage (information hypothesis). Both hypotheses are tested. To achieve her aims, the author models individual utility from pay as a function of a worker's own wage and the earnings of all other workers within the same establishment, and she estimates the model using British employer-employee data. Incomplete information about others wages is assumed. The author finds that the comparison effects matter. Of most interest, she provides some first evidence about a positive relation between well-being and inequality. Her results are robust within the different specifications and different definitions of the reference group.
- Language
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Englisch
- Bibliographic citation
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Series: Economics Discussion Papers ; No. 2013-28
Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
Single Equation Models; Single Variables: Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
comparison income
co-workers
inequality
incomplete information
- Handle
- Last update
-
12.07.2024, 1:22 PM CEST
Object type
- Arbeitspapier
Associated
- Poggi, Ambra
- Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW)
Time of origin
- 2013
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