Research

Articles in Refereed Journals

Labor Market Polarization, Job Tasks, and Monopsony Power (with Ronald Bachmann and Hanna Frings). Journal of Human Resources, 57(S), S11-S49.

Abstract: Using a semistructural approach based on a dynamic monopsony model, we examine to what extent workers performing different job tasks are exposed to different degrees of monopsony power and whether these differences in monopsony power have changed over the last 30 years. We find that workers performing mostly nonroutine cognitive tasks are exposed to a higher degree of monopsony power than workers performing routine or nonroutine manual tasks. Job-specific human capital and nonpecuniary job characteristics are the most likely explanations for this result. We find no evidence that labor market polarization has increased monopsony power over time.

• Ökonomenstimme (in German): Verändert der technologische Wandel die Monopsonmacht auf dem Arbeitsmarkt?

Working Papers

Labor Market Frictions and Spillover Effects from Publicly Announced Sectoral Minimum Wages. [Current Version]

Abstract: This paper analyzes the spillover effects of Germany's first sectoral minimum wage. Using a difference-in-differences estimation, I examine the impact of the public discussion and announcement of the minimum wage on sub-minimum wage workers in related jobs outside the minimum wage sector, defined using employment flows. The results show an increase in wages, job-to-job transitions, and reallocation to better-paying establishments. In contrast to models of strategic wage setting, employers’ strategic interactions do not drive the spillover effects. Instead, I provide evidence for reduced information frictions via the public discussion and announcement of the minimum wage as a potential spillover mechanism.

• Handelsblatt (in German): RWI-Studie: Baumindestlohn führt auch in anderen Branchen zu höherer Bezahlung 

The Role of Within-Occupation Task Changes in Wage Development (with Ronald Bachmann, Colin Green, and Arne Uhlendorff). Ruhr Economic Paper No. 975. 

Abstract: We examine how changes in task content over time condition occupational wage development. Using survey data from Germany, we document substantial heterogeneity in within-occupational changes in task content. Combining this evidence with administrative data on individual employment outcomes over a 25-year period, we find important heterogeneity in wage penalties amongst initially routine intensive jobs. While occupations that remain (relatively) routine intensive generate substantial wage penalties, occupations with a decreasing routine intensity experience stable or even increasing wages. These findings cannot be explained by composition or cohort effects. 

• Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (in German): Automatisierung der Arbeit. Ein Hoch auf die Routinejobs. 

Selected Work in Progress

Student Job Coworker Networks and Labor Market Entry (with Friederike Hertweck, Malte Sandner, and Ipek Yükselen)

Career Blocker (with Simon Trenkle)

Other Publications

RWI, IAW Tübingen and IZA Bonn (2020), Auswirkungen des gesetzlichen Mindestlohns auf Löhne und Arbeitszeiten (Effects of the statutory minimum wage on the wage structure and hours worked). Team: R. Bachmann, H. Bonin, B. Boockmann, G. Demir, R. Felder, I. Isphording, R. Kalweit, N. Laub, C. Vonnahme, C. Zimpelmann.

Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS) (Ed.), Kantar, IAB, IAW, IAQ, IZA and RWI (2021), Begleitevaluation der arbeitsmarktpolitischen Integrationsmaßnahmen für Geflüchtete – Schlussbericht. Forschungsbericht 587. BMAS: Berlin.