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The Employer Size-Wage Effect

Author

Listed:
  • Brown, Charles
  • Medoff, James
Abstract
The authors consider six explanations for the positive relationship between employer size and wages: large employers (1) hire higher-quality workers, (2) offer inferior working conditions, (3) make more use of high wages to forestall unionization, (4) have more ability to pay high wages, (5) face smaller pools of applicants relative to vacancies, and (6) are less able to monitor their workers. They find some support for the first of these, but there remains a significant wage premium for those working for large employers. Copyright 1989 by University of Chicago Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Brown, Charles & Medoff, James, 1989. "The Employer Size-Wage Effect," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 97(5), pages 1027-1059, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jpolec:v:97:y:1989:i:5:p:1027-59
    DOI: 10.1086/261642
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Harry J. Holzer & Lawrence F. Katz & Alan B. Krueger, 1988. "Job Queues and Wages: New Evidence on the Minimum Wage and Inter-Industry Wage Structure," Working Papers 610, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
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