To read this content please select one of the options below:

Human resource management and labour demand dynamics in Belgium: A microeconometric analysis using employers' matched data

Laurent Arnone (Centre de Recherche Warocqué, Université de Mons‐Hainaut, Place du Parc, Mons, Belgium)
Claire Dupont (Centre de Recherche Warocqué, Université de Mons‐Hainaut, Place du Parc, Mons, Belgium)
Benoît Mahy (Centre de Recherche Warocqué, Université de Mons‐Hainaut, Place du Parc, Mons, Belgium)
Séverine Spataro (Centre de Recherche Warocqué, Université de Mons‐Hainaut, Place du Parc, Mons, Belgium)

International Journal of Manpower

ISSN: 0143-7720

Article publication date: 1 October 2005

1474

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to estimate whether human resource (HR) practices influence labour demand dynamics behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Groups practices in terms of employees satisfaction and work organisation, financial incentives and individual's career perspectives, and explains how they may influence labour productivity and cost. Considering five HR variables, estimates two specifications of labour demand dynamics, under production constrained by demand or monopolistic competition regimes. Applies the two‐step GMM estimator proposed by Blundell and Bond to a balanced panel of 452 Belgian firms observed during the period 1998‐2002.

Findings

In the complete monopolistic competition specification, estimates a positive one lag relation explaining labour demand by average training hours combined with an indicator of well‐being of workers, the fact that they are engaged in long term contracts and stay in firms. Some evidence therefore seems to show that some combined HR practices can improve labour demand.

Originality/value

Provides information on whether HR practices influence labour demand dynamics in a Belgian context.

Keywords

Citation

Arnone, L., Dupont, C., Mahy, B. and Spataro, S. (2005), "Human resource management and labour demand dynamics in Belgium: A microeconometric analysis using employers' matched data", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 26 No. 7/8, pp. 724-743. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437720510628158

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles