Arbeitsökonomik

Arbeitsökonomik, also known as economics of labor, is a branch of economics that studies the labor market and the behavior of workers and employers. It examines how wages are determined, why unemployment exists, and the impact of various factors on labor supply and demand. Key areas of study include human capital development, labor mobility, wage inequality, discrimination, and the role of unions and government policies.

The field uses economic models and empirical data to analyze these phenomena. For example, human capital theory suggests that investments in education and training increase an individual's productivity and earning potential. Labor market segmentation theories explore how the market might be divided into distinct segments with different wages and working conditions, often influenced by factors like skills, education, and demographics.

Arbeitsökonomik also investigates the causes and consequences of unemployment, distinguishing between frictional, structural, and cyclical unemployment. It analyzes the effectiveness of different policies aimed at reducing unemployment, such as active labor market policies and unemployment benefits. Furthermore, the discipline seeks to understand the determinants of wage differentials and the economic explanations for income inequality, including factors like skill-biased technological change and bargaining power. The influence of collective bargaining and trade unions on wages and employment is another significant area of research within Arbeitsökonomik.