Internal wage dispersion and firm performance : white-collar evidence

This paper investigates the net relationship between internal wage dispersion and firm performance. An empirical investigation of the relationship between internal wage dispersion and firm performance is performed using linked employer-employee data for Norwegian firms from 1986 to 1997. Contrary to findings in previous empirical work of a positive relationship between internal wage dispersion and firm performance, this analysis finds no such evidence in Norwegian firms, even though internal wage dispersion has increased. The paper contributes to the relatively sparse empirical literature on internal wage dispersion and firm performance. Further, the analysis provides a new econometric specification for estimating internal wage dispersion that explicitly takes into account the hierarchical organization of firms. In contrast to previous work, the analysis also distinguishes between dispersion in both the fixed and variable portions of wages

Testing the role of comparative advantage and learning in wage and promotion dynamics

Can job assignment based on comparative advantage and learning about workers’ ability explain wage and promotion dynamics within firms? In order to answer this question the Gibbons and Waldman (1999b) model is estimated in a Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) framework using a unique data set on white-collar workers in Norway for the years 1987-1997. The estimation is carried out on two different occupational groups: technical and administrative white-collar workers. The selection of workers into a given position within a firm hierarchy is based on comparative advantage. Both measurable and unmeasurable skills are important. This holds in both occupations studied. When it comes to firms’ learning about their workers, the results are not so clear. But overall, the results on learning seem to have stronger support than what previous studies have found. In general, there is more evidence for learning about administrative white-collar workers than about technical white-collar workers

Performance appraisal and career opportunities: A case study

,Performance; Career

Wage Structure and Labor Mobility in Norway 1980-1997

To what extent do different firms follow different wage policies? How do such policies affect worker mobility between firms, and what are the effects of different wage bargaining regimes? The empirical branch of personnel economics has long been hampered by a lack of representative data sets. Norway is one of a handful of countries that has produced rich linked employer/employee data suitable for such analysis. This paper has three parts. First, we describe the wage setting and employment protection institutions in Norway. Next, we describe the Norwegian datasets. Finally, we document a large number of stylized facts regarding wage structure and labor mobility within and between Norwegian firms. Our main dataset covers white-collar workers in the manufacturing and private sectors for the period 1980-1997. We also have blue-collar data for the 1986-1997 period covering the core of the manufacturing sector. Information about occupations, monthly wages, hours worked and bonuses is available, as well as various worker and firm characteristics.

Skier stability index - An additional tool for snow avalanche forecasting in Norway?

With more people running to the mountains for skiing backcountry terrain, the need for a good snow avalanche forecast is dire. Todays forecast is based on the weather forecast, snow observations by professional observers and modeled snow data. This thesis will investigating if a stability index can contribute to the current avalanche forecast. Three variatons of Skier stability index (S’) has been calculated for the 21 A-regions used in avalanche foreacsting in Norway. The calculations have been done using three different griddings; full region, deployment areas and point of avalanche. Data sets used are snow data from The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and meteorological data from MetCoOp Ensemble Prediction System (MEPS) for the avalanche forecasting seasons from 2014-2017 (1st December- 31st May). Success rates of S’ on days where avalanches have been reported where checked to investigate the potential of the index. Versions 1 and 2 (assuming no weak layers in the snowpack) showed low success rate, with highest average of 34 % semi-success (1 <S’ ≤ 1.5). Version 3 (assuming buried surface hoar layer) showed a high success rate (80 %), but also gives false positive on days with no observed avalanches. At present time the index does not contribute to the avalanche forecast because of the low success rates. Further investigations in modifeied ways of using the skier stability index can still be interesting. With an improved avalanche observation record for the latest season (2018), validation of avalanche research will become more reliable.Masteroppgave i meteorologi og oseanografiMAMN-GEOFGEOF39

Do prices reflect short-term output fluctuations? : empirical evidence from a small open raw material based economy

Within the framework of Keynesian economic theory it is widely taken for granted that short term output fluctuations are mirrored in corresponding fluctuations in prices. By examining data on prices and output for a small open raw material based economy, in this case Norway, 1830-2006, this paper concludes that there isn't a clear positive correlation between prices and output. Contrary, there is more evidence of a counter-cyclical relationship, indicating that business cycles are more frequently caused by supply-side shocks than demand side shocks. However, negative demand shocks normally seem to cause lagged negative price responses

Ethics, resource rent, environment and petroleum policy: the case of a small open economy

This paper contributes to the understanding of how the environment, ethics, values, and historical contingencies shape public policy. It explains the accomplishment of petroleum resource management in the small open economy of Norway. The study is conducted by mapping policy decisions and the arguments behind them regarding environmental and ethical issues. This is done by studying available governmental and parliamentary papers along with statements from politicians and central governmental officials. The paper also seeks to illuminate some of the decisions by quantitative measures. The paper firstly describes a model of Ricardian resource rent. Secondly, it investigates the set of values that were in place before the petroleum production started in the 1970s, as described in public documents. An important argument was to build a “qualitatively better society” for the benefit of the people. Thirdly, it traces the historical roots of these values by examining historical sources. The main findings are that success lies in understanding the ethics behind the environmental resource rent harvesting of this non-renewable natural resource. The paper concludes that the focus on the natural environment and resource rent management can be attributed to popular values built on historical traditions. According to them, the state and the trust between the state and its citizens played key roles in shaping the policy. The careful policy can be illustrated by the fact that Norway has managed to build one of the largest sovereign funds in the world worth USD 1,200 billion for use by future generations. Only 3% of its value, significantly less than its historical net profit, should be used annually.publishedVersio

Wage structure and labor mobility in Norway 1980-1997

To what extent do different firms follow different wage policies? How do such policies affect worker mobility between firms, and what are the effects of different wage bargaining regimes? The empirical branch of personnel economics has long been hampered by a lack of representative data sets. Norway is one of a handful of countries that has produced rich linked employer-employee data suitable for such analysis. This paper has three parts. First, we describe the wage setting and employment protection institutions in Norway. Next, we describe the Norwegian data sets. Finally, we document a large number of stylized facts regarding wage structure and labour mobility within and between Norwegian firms. Our main data set covers white-collar workers in the manufacturing and private sectors for the period 1980-1997. We also have blue-collar data for the 1986-1997 period covering the core of the manufacturing sector. Information about occupations, monthly wages, hours worked and bonuses is available, as well as various worker and firm characteristics

Nudging: How human behavior is affected by design

A statement in this article expresses that there is no such thing as neutral design, and that the way something is designed will affect the person using it in one way or another. With a basis in this idea it becomes interesting to look at how design affects people in ways they do not necessarily recognize momentarily. Nudging, as a method, aims to create predictable behavioral outcomes through the premises of how the human brain perceives the world and makes decisions. This article presents this term and its theoretical background before placing it in a service design context. Alongside several different examples of public nudging, a case study is briefly mentioned to illustrate a project where nudging is beneficial to reach the intended goal. The article shows that there is an important ethical discussion related to this subject, and both the arguments criticizing and defending the method are presented before this is discussed further. The aim of the article is to highlight the importance of being aware of the effect design might have on people, and to encourage designers to reflect on their responsibility when designing new solutions