Returns to on-the-job search and wage dispersion
基于在职搜寻模型，提出利用预期工作机会数量衡量匹配质量、识别工资分布的方法，并估计在职搜寻对工资离散度和生命周期工资增长的贡献。
A wide class of models with On-the-Job Search (OJS) predict that workers gradually select into better jobs. We develop a simple method based on the expected number of job offers received that can be used to measure match quality, identify the wage offer distribution and estimate the contribution of OJS to wage dispersion and the increase in wages over the lifecycle. The method uses two sources of identification: (i) time variation in job-finding rates and (ii) individual variation in the time since the last layoff. Applying this method to the NLSY 79, we find that the standard deviation of the wage-offer distribution is 13% and that OJS accounts for 8% of the total wage dispersion and 30% of the wage-increase over the lifecycle.