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Contribution Details

Type Journal Article
Scope Discipline-based scholarship
Title The effect of the initial distribution of labor-related property rights on the allocative efficiency of labor markets
Organization Unit
Authors
  • Helmut Max Dietl
  • Markus Lang
  • Johannes Orlowski
  • Philipp Wegelin
Item Subtype Original Work
Refereed Yes
Status Published in final form
Language
  • German
Journal Title Frontiers in Behavioral Economics
Publisher Frontiers Research Foundation
Geographical Reach international
ISSN 2813-5296
Volume 3
Page Range online
Date 2024
Abstract Text Introduction The Coase Theorem posits that frictionless markets efficiently allocate scarce resources as long as property rights are fully specified. Our empirical study investigates how the initial allocation of labor-related property rights influences the allocative efficiency in labor markets for skilled workers within a highly competitive environment—professional basketball. Specifically, we compare two regimes: one where employers can trade workers to other employers without the worker's consent, and another where workers are free agents, able to negotiate and move freely without their employer's consent. Methods We utilize the NBA as a “laboratory” to conduct our analysis, constructing a unique panel dataset that includes 3,132 player-season observations spanning 17 regular seasons from 2003/04 to 2019/20. To address our research question, we employ linear panel regression models to analyze the data. Results and discussion The findings reveal a decline in productivity among workers who transition to new employers as free agents, a phenomenon not observed among non-free agents. This observation suggests that allocative efficiency might be higher when workers are traded without their consent compared to when they exercise their autonomy as free agents. These findings highlight the significant impact that the initial distribution of labor-related property rights has on labor market efficiency, potentially challenging the assumptions of the Coase Theorem. However, the lack of a statistically significant difference in productivity changes between free agents and non-free agents moving to new employers prevents us from definitively rejecting the predictions of the Coase Theorem.
Free access at DOI
Digital Object Identifier 10.3389/frbhe.2024.1379215
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