Downsizing, X-Efficiency. and Social Efficiency.

In this paper a theoretical framework is provided to link firm efficiency to product market competition. In particular x-efficienct is shown to arise to the extent unions directly affect the level of employment. A positive relationship is established between social efficiency and x-efficiency, whereby both are at their lowest level when firms can freely adjust size of the workforce. Finally profits (employment/production) are shown to be not necessarily decreasing (increasing) in the degree of competition.