Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

SSE/EFI Working Paper Series in Economics and Finance,
Stockholm School of Economics

No 239: The Effects of Redistribution on Occupational Choice and Intergenerational Mobility: Does Wage Equality Nail the Cobbler to His Last?

Anna Sjögren ()
Additional contact information
Anna Sjögren: Dept. of Economics, Stockholm School of Economics, Postal: P.O. Box 6501, S-113 83 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: In this study we extend the classical Roy-model of selection on the labor market by introducing uncertainty about ones ability linked to family background. In our model, this mechanism rather than differences in access to capital markets links occupational outcomes of offspring to parents. Income redistribution is studied and we find that redistribution has implications for intergenerational mobility and talent allocation through its influence on individual occupational choices. We conclude that the presence of a trade-off between redistribution and intergenerational mobility depends on the extent of similarity of occupations with regard to ability sensitivity and wage rates, and on the degree of individual risk aversion. Whether redistribution occurs within an occupation or simultaneously within and across occupations is also important.

Keywords: intergenerational mobility; occupational choice; talent allocation; redistribution

JEL-codes: J24; J31; J62

31 pages, May 28, 1998

Full text files 

hastef0239.pdf.zip PDF-file Full text
hastef0239.pdf PDF-file Full text
hastef0239.ps.zip PostScript file Full text
hastef0239.ps PostScript file Full text

Download statistics

Questions (including download problems) about the papers in this series should be directed to Helena Lundin ()
Report other problems with accessing this service to Sune Karlsson ().

RePEc:hhs:hastef:0239This page generated on 2024-09-13 22:15:04.