Industry structure and labour market flexibility in the South African manufacturing sector : a time series and panel data approach

Hill, A J

Industry structure and labour market flexibility in the South African manufacturing sector : a time series and panel data approach

Master Thesis

2007

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

School of Economics

Faculty

Faculty of Commerce

Abstract

Our investigation of industry structure in South African manufacturing reveals evidence of imperfect competition. We find an average mark-up of 50% for the period 1970 to 2004. Results suggest that there is no consistent trend in the mark-up over time. Extending this analysis, we find that two thirds of total labour employed in South African manufacturing is devoted to fixed costs. We find that this proportion falls during the 1980s and rises during the 1990s, suggesting an increase in labour flexibility followed by a decrease.

Description

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 24-27)

Keywords

Economics

Reference:

Collections

Masters

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