A MODEL OF JOB CHOICE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT

The paper presents a model of choice between alternative available jobs in which each job has an uncertain multi-period income prospect. Imperfectly informed expectations as well as job preferences and attitudes to risk determine the choice. The model is used to locate and discuss some problems of designing government programs which are intended to increase job mobility. The main conclusion is that government interventions may impose costs on the economy which are greater than the benefits because the information needed to assess costs and benefits is not generally available and political pressures may distort the expenditures.