Labour Market Characteristics and Profitability: Econometric analysis of Hungarian Exporting Firms, 1986-1995

Labour market and financial information is combined to explore the effect of the quality of labour employed on the profitability of the firm. The quality of labour is measured as the portion of wage differentials that cannot be explained by the human capital model. Profitability of Hungarian exporting firms can be explained by economic factors during transition. Beside the quality of labour export share, wage and bank costs, payables, receivables, foreign ownership,. inventories, amortisation and equity became significant explanatory variables. Sectors proved to be insignificant explanation for profit differences. Changing effects of monopolist competition and of the size of the firm reflect turbulent institutional environment for firms.