Agglomeration and regional labour markets |
| |
Authors: | Björn Frank Michael Pflüger |
| |
Institution: | (1) Queen Mary, University of London and Centre for Economic Performance (LSE), Houghton Street, London, WC2A 2AE, UK;(2) London School of Economics and Centre for Economic Performance (LSE), Houghton Street, London, WC2A 2AE, UK |
| |
Abstract: | Conclusion There is no such thing as ‘the labour market’. This term is usually used to describe a simplified combination of very different
delimited markets, both regionally and in terms of employee qualifications. Different labour markets can develop quite differently.
This insight was underlined by studies presented at the DIW Berlin workshop. Thus, the empirical studies are virtually unanimous
in showing that those with higher qualifications benefit particularly from a concentration of economic activity. That investment
in human capital is worthwhile particularly in regionally concentrated labour markets is, conversely, demonstrated by the
theory.
The workshop presentations have, nevertheless, also led to a large number of new questions. For example, the basis of each
of the various countries’ experiences needs to be clarified. Among the most important tasks to be solved is undoubtedly also
the quantification of the influence emanating from the different agglomeration factors.
Can economic policy lessons be learned from the workshop contributions? The heterogeneity of labour markets, as has become
evident from the different presentations, suggests that labour market policy would be ill advised to rely solely on an overall
observation of a labour market seen as an entity. In light of the questions raised, especially as a result of the empirical
studies, it nevertheless seems premature to consider conclusions that go any further as anything more than hypotheses. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|