A physiological foundation for the nutrition-based efficiency wage model

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelfagfællebedømt

Drawing on recent research on allometric scaling and energy consumption, the present paper develops a nutrition-based efficiency wage model from first principles. The biologically micro-founded model allows us to address empirical criticism of the original nutrition-based efficiency wage model. By extending the model with respect to heterogeneity in worker body size and a physiologically founded impact of body size on productivity, we demonstrate that the nutrition-based efficiency wage model is compatible with the empirical regularity that taller workers simultaneously earn higher wages and are less likely to be unemployed in less developed economies. The theory also provides an answer to the question of why the height-unemployment association may disappear in the process of development.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftOxford Economic Papers
Vol/bind63
Udgave nummer2
Sider (fra-til)232-253
Antal sider22
ISSN0030-7653
DOI
StatusUdgivet - apr. 2011

Bibliografisk note

JEL classification: O11, O15, J21, J31

ID: 22128518