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  3. American Economic Review
  4. June 2006
  5. Matching and Price Competition

American Economic Review

ISSN 0002-8282 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7981 (Online)

Matching and Price Competition

  • Jeremy Bulow
  • Jonathan Levin
American Economic Review
vol. 96, no. 3, June 2006
(pp. 652–668)
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Abstract

We develop a model in which firms set impersonal salary levels before matching with workers. Wages fall relative to any competitive equilibrium while profits rise almost as much, implying little inefficiency. Furthermore, the best firms gain the most from the system while wages become compressed. In light of our results, we discuss the performance of alternative institutions and the recent antitrust case against the National Resident Matching Program. (JEL D44, J41, L44)

Citation

Bulow, Jeremy, and Jonathan Levin. 2006. "Matching and Price Competition." American Economic Review, 96 (3): 652–668. DOI: 10.1257/aer.96.3.652

JEL Classification

  • I11 Analysis of Health Care Markets
  • J41 Labor Contracts
  • L44 Antitrust Policy and Public Enterprises, Nonprofit Institutions, and Professional Organizations