• The Journal of Information Technology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.23-37
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• 2000

This study examines the effect of trade union on the structure of wage determining and the variance of wage in manufacturing and non-manufacturing, 1993, in Korea It finds that the wage determining mechanism is significantly different between union and nonunion establishments, and that the wage inequality is too significantly lower among workers in establishments that are unionized than among those that are not. However, it is not clear whether the union wage policies designed to standardize rates have the effects of reduction in wage variance. that is mostly because of smaller variance within unionized workers having the same wage determining characteristics.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.494-502
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• 2017

This study examines how the Netherlands and Denmark lowered the increase in income inequality, at a period in time when income inequality in the world was deepening. This study investigates the level and trend of income inequality in the Netherlands and Denmark compared to those in Korea, the United States, Germany and Sweden. Using the method of the decomposition of changes in income inequality, this study identifies which factors are associated with the changes in inequality in these countries. It also explores which labor market policies mitigated inequality in these two countries. One of the major reasons for the reduction in earned income inequality in the Netherlands is the increased participation of women in economic activity through the increase in voluntary part-time working. In particular, the policies designed to promote equal treatment between full-time and non-regular workers contributed to the active participation of women in part-time work. Using active labor market policies, Denmark improved the proficiency of low skilled and low-wage workers, thereby alleviating the wage gap between high-income and low-income workers. Based on the experiences of the Netherlands and Denmark, this study discusses policy directions to mitigate income inequality in Korea.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.141-190
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• 2004

Income inequality in Korea has increased after the economic crisis, and the main reason for the widening of income distribution is due to the increase of the unemployed when analyzed using the Urban Household Report(UHR). However, income inequality has not decreased although the rate of unemployment decreased after 2000. Further data bases for income-related statistics are necessary to examine the exact causes of changing income inequality as a whole since the UHR covers only statistics on urban employees' wage and salary in Korea.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.299-312
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• 2006

This study examines the relations among wage differentials, trade, and productivity in Korea, using the methodology of Granger causality and vector error correction modelling. Cointegration test results over the 1975-2004 period indicate that all the test variables are cointegrated. Therefore, wage differentials, trade, and productivity are all related in the long run. We found some evidence on long-run relationship, while there is no short-run relationship between three test variables. First, trade and wage differentials have positively and bi-directionally Granger causality in the long-run. Second, productivity Granger causes negatively wage differentials in the long-run. Finally, productivity Granger causes positively trade in the long-run. These results explain partially the current theoretical predictions for wage inequality as well as supports the productivity-led growth hypothesis in the Korean economy.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.31-53
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• 2007

This paper, using the sample of male workers in manufacturing industry from the HCCP (Human Capital Corporate Panel) data, analyzes the effects of trade union on the level and dispersion of wages. One of the advantages of the HCCP data is that it enables a researcher to control the effect of individual firm's 'ability to pay' on wage. All relevant variables controlled, the union effect is estimated to be 5-8%. Yet this figure seriously underestimates the wage advantage enjoyed by union workers, because union sets the "price" for experience low and the price for tenure high and at the same time extends tenure of workers by adopting strong employment protection policy. The paper also analyzes the effects of union on the wage inequality. The results are mixed: overall wage inequality is smaller in union sector while standard deviation is larger when all the personal characteristics are controlled.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.43-72
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• 2019

As a result of decomposing the wage gap between large enterprises and SMEs using Oaxaca's wage gap decomposition method, the total wage gap of supply side factors was 44.2%, and the service years and educational background were the biggest influences. and As a result of decomposing the wage gap by firm size based on demand side factors such as business performance, total wage gap was 44.9%, and the influence on wage gap was in the order of labor productivity, union and outsourcing ratio. The results of this analysis suggest that it is necessary to consider the demand side factors such as business performance and capital structure of supply side companies such as differences in human capital in order to solve wage gap by firm size.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.211-231
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• 1997

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.245-257
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• 2005

The income of wage earners and the transition of the inequality of their income from 1993 through 1998 have been analyzed. Korea's economy went through an epochal change since the beginning of the IMF economy and the inequality of income, which is part of the change incurred by this situation, has been studied in this thesis. The 'human capital theory' has been chosen as the basis of study. Also, gender, educational background and age, which are the key variables of the 'human capital theory', have been set as independent variables to compare each variable's influence in the distribution of income. From 1993 to 1998, the effect of gender has shown a fluctuating pattern whereas the effect of education declined slowly and the effect of age rapidly. The accumulative effect of the three variables show a fluctuating pattern, but at a declining mode. Though discrimination against gender, educational background and age, in terms of income, is at a declining mode, it is apparent that it still exists. Especially, discrimination against gender is continuing at a fluctuating pattern.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.31-56
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• 2016

This study analyzes the effect of a minimum wage on the wage compression within Korean establishments. The results are as follows. Firstly, increases of a ratio of workers who get minimum wage within establishments have a effect to compress the wage distribution within establishments. Secondly, the establishment average wages get lower as their minimum wage ratios get larger. In this situation, high wage group's wages fall deeply than low wage group's these. Thirdly, the relative wages of high wage group to low wage group tend to be small as their minimum wage ratios get larger. To conclude, a increase of minimum wage has a effect to raise low wage workers' wages directly, and to reduce high wage workers' wages or increase rates indirectly. And the wage distributions are compressed as a result. So government's policy to increase minimum wage will have a result in reducing wage inequality.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.3-51
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• 2002

Income inequality in Korea has increased after the economic crisis, and the main reason for the widening of income distribution is due to the increase of the unemployed when analyzed using the Family Icome and Expenditure Survey(FIES). However, income inequality has not decreased although the rate of unemployment decreased after 2000. Further data bases for income-related statistics are necessary to examine the exact causes of changing income inequality as a whole since the FIES covers only statistics on urban employees' wage and salary in Korea.