This paper investigates the link between trade flows and relative wages on a cross-section of 22 sectors in 12 OECD countries. Industries are classified according to stylised facts about market structure (fragmentation, segmentation and degree of product differentiation). Next, the import...

This paper forms part of an OECD project which addressed the issue of the structure and change in the distribution systems of seven OECD countries. First, the paper discusses the role of distribution systems in the overall economic performance. Next, it gives an overview of the structure and...

Starting from the theoretical argument underlying the “hump shape” hypothesis, the paper investigates the various dimensions of centralisation in the wage formation process. The diversity of effects discussed in the paper makes it harder to arrive at unambiguous policy conclusions. Careful...

This paper forms part of an OECD project which addressed the issue of the structure and change in the distribution systems of seven OECD countries. This paper gives an overview of the structure, policy and performance of the French distribution system for the period 1970-90. This analysis is...

This paper forms part of an OECD project which addressed the issue of the structure and change in the distribution systems of seven OECD countries. The paper gives a comprehensive view of the distribution system in the United Kingdom. Namely, it assesses the contribution of this sector to the...

This paper first gives a brief account of the main changes introduced by OECD governments in their capital income tax rules during the 1980s with respect to both the corporate and personal sectors. It then examines the evolution of effective capital taxation, using a summary measure ("tax...

This paper deals with trends and cycles of unemployment and labour-force participation. Empirical evidence on both trends and cyclical movements in unemployment and participation is presented. Some of the mechanisms behind the observed developments are also analysed, examining how well they fit...

Despite the increased capital mobility that has accompanied the trend towards liberalisation and international integration of financial markets, differences remain in financing costs and, in particular, the cost of capital, that similar businesses face in different countries. These differences...