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Unionization structures in international oligopoly

Author

Listed:
  • Pagel, Beatrice
  • Wey, Christian
Abstract
We examine how competition in international markets affects a union's choice of wage regime which can be either uniform or discriminatory. Firms are heterogenous with regard to international competition. When unions choose their wage regimes sequentially, a discriminatory outcome becomes more likely when international competition increases. However, for intermediate levels a union may stick with a uniform wage regime even if the rival union adopts a discriminatory regime. When competition is sufficiently intense, both unions revert to the discriminatory regime. Paradoxically only in those latter instances all parties (consumers, workers and firms) may be better off (each in aggregate) if all unions adopt a uniform wage regime. We conclude that union incentives to coordinate their wage regimes should then also become largest.

Suggested Citation

  • Pagel, Beatrice & Wey, Christian, 2012. "Unionization structures in international oligopoly," DICE Discussion Papers 44, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:dicedp:44
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Buccella Domenico, 2019. "Strategic trade and FDI policies in a unionized industry," Economics and Business Review, Sciendo, vol. 5(1), pages 12-31, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Unionization; International Oligopoly; Uniform Wages;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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