Den Haan, W., Freund, L. B. and Rendahl, P.

Volatile Hiring: Uncertainty in Search and Matching Models

Journal of Monetary Economics

Vol. 123 pp. 1-18 (2021)

Abstract: In search-and-matching models, the nonlinear nature of search frictions increases average unemployment rates during periods with higher volatility. These frictions are not, however, by themselves sufficient to raise unemployment following an increase in perceived uncertainty; though they may do so in conjunction with the common assumption of wages being determined by Nash bargaining. Importantly, option-value considerations play no role in the standard model with free entry. In contrast, when the mass of entrepreneurs is finite and there is heterogeneity in firm-specific productivity, a rise in perceived uncertainty robustly increases the option value of waiting and reduces job creation.

Keywords: Option value, search frictions, Uncertainty, Unemployment

JEL Codes: E24, E32, J64

Author links: Lukas Freund  

Publisher's Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmoneco.2021.07.008

Cambridge-INET Working Paper Version of Paper: Volatile Hiring: Uncertainty in Search and Matching Models, Den Haan, W., Freund, L. B. and Rendahl, P., (2020)