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The controversy over employment policy: Low labor costs and openness, or demand policy? A sectoral analysis for Turkey

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  • Özlem Onaran

    (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics & B.A.)

  • Nursel Aydiner-Avsar

    (University of Utah)

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to test the effects of labor cost, openness, and demand side variables on employment for the case of Turkey using the panel data of private manufacturing industry at three digit level for 25 sectors for the period of 1973-2001. We use a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model, which allows for cross-sectoral heterogeneity. The estimation results show that higher growth is more effective in stimulating employment compared to lower labor costs. The reliance of Turkey and many developing countries on labor market flexibility and openness as the unique tools of employment policy reflects a pro-capital incomes policy bias rather than a necessity. The results confirm the Keynesian emphasis on demand-side policies to fight against unemployment.

Suggested Citation

  • Özlem Onaran & Nursel Aydiner-Avsar, 2006. "The controversy over employment policy: Low labor costs and openness, or demand policy? A sectoral analysis for Turkey," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp097, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wiw:wiwwuw:wuwp097
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    Cited by:

    1. Herr, Hansjörg. & Sonat, Zeynep M., 2013. "Neoliberal unshared growth regime of Turkey in the post-2001 period," ILO Working Papers 994841263402676, International Labour Organization.
    2. Paul-Francois Muzindutsi, 2014. "Manufacturing Production and Non-Agricultural Employment rate in South Africa: Time Series Analysis," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 6(10), pages 779-786.
    3. Djavad Salehi-Isfahani & Insan Tunali & Ragui Assaad, 2009. "A Comparative Study of Returns to Education of Urban Men in Egypt, Iran, and Turkey," Middle East Development Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(2), pages 145-187, January.
    4. Luis N. Lanteri, 2013. "Determinantes económicos del nivel de empleo. Alguna evidencia para Argentina," Ensayos Revista de Economia, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Facultad de Economia, vol. 0(1), pages 73-100, May.
    5. Afşin Şahin & Aysit Tansel & M. Hakan Berument, 2015. "Output–Employment Relationship Across Sectors: A Long- Versus Short-Run Perspective," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(3), pages 265-288, July.
    6. Mohamed Goaied & Seifallah Sassi, 2015. "Trade liberalisation and employment intensity of sectoral output growth: Lessons from Tunisia," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 26(2), pages 261-275, June.
    7. Molobe Joyce Ramakgasha & Tshephi Kingsley Thaba & Nengovhela Rudzani, 2024. "Agricultural Production and Agricultural Employment Rate in South Africa: Time Series Analysis Approach," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 14(4), pages 148-153, July.
    8. Rosa Duarte & Cristina Sarasa & Mònica Serrano, 2019. "Structural change and female participation in recent economic growth: a multisectoral analysis for the Spanish economy," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(4), pages 574-593, October.
    9. Gildas Dohba Dinga & Mamadou Asngar Thierry & Dobdinga Cletus Fonchamnyo & Ongo Nkoa Bruno Emmanuel & Giyoh Gideon Nginyu, 2024. "ICTs and Globalisation in the African Labour Market," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(2), pages 6079-6098, June.
    10. Sèna Kimm Gnangnon, 2020. "Aid for Trade and sectoral employment diversification in recipient-countries," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 53(2), pages 265-295, May.
    11. Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, 2009. "Education and Earnings in The Middle East: A Comparative Study of Returns To Schooling in Egypt, Iran, and Turkey," Working Papers 504, Economic Research Forum, revised Sep 2009.
    12. Herr, Hansjörg & Sonat, Zeynep M., 2013. "Neoliberal Unshared Growth Regime of Turkey in the Post-2001 Period," EconStor Preprints 88606, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    13. Afşin Şahin & Aysit Tansel & M. Hakan Berument, 2015. "Output–Employment Relationship Across Sectors: A Long- Versus Short-Run Perspective," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(3), pages 265-288, July.
    14. Herr, Hansjörg & Sonat, Zeynep M., 2013. "Neoliberal Unshared Growth Regime of Turkey in the Post-2001 Period," GLU Working Papers 19, Global Labour University (GLU).
    15. Djavad Salehi-Isfahani & Insan Tunali & Ragui Assaad, 2009. "A Comparative Study Of Returns To Education Of Urban Men In Egypt, Iran, And Turkey," Middle East Development Journal (MEDJ), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 1(02), pages 145-187.
    16. Xavier Cirera & Dirk Willenbockel & Rajith W.D. Lakshman, 2014. "Evidence On The Impact Of Tariff Reductions On Employment In Developing Countries: A Systematic Review," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(3), pages 449-471, July.
    17. repec:ilo:ilowps:484126 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Monia Ghazali and Rim Mouelhi, 2018. "The Employment Intensity of Growth: Evidence from Tunisia," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 43(3), pages 85-118, September.

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    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions

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