The non‐monotonic effect of real wages on labour productivity: New evidence from the manufacturing sector in Malaysia
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to empirically investigate the effect of real wages on labour productivity in Malaysia's manufacturing sector using annual data from 1980 to 2009.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses the Johansen cointegration test to examine the presence of long‐run equilibrium relationship between labour productivity and real wages in Malaysia. In addition, the Granger causality test within the vector error‐correction model (VECM) is used to ascertain the direction of causality between the variables of interest.
Findings
The Johansen test suggests that real wages and labour productivity are cointegrated. Moreover, labour productivity and real wages have a quadratic relationship (i.e. inverted U‐shaped curve) instead of linear relationship. Hence, the effect of real wages on labour productivity is non‐monotonic. Furthermore, the Granger causality test indicates that real wages and labour productivity are bilateral causality in nature.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to the labour productivity in the manufacturing sector only.
Originality/value
This study demonstrates that the effect of real wages on labour productivity is non‐monotonic; hence increase in real wages alone does not always enhance labour productivity. Thus, other incentives should be offered to stimulate long‐term labour productivity growth in Malaysia.
Keywords
Citation
Foon Tang, C. (2012), "The non‐monotonic effect of real wages on labour productivity: New evidence from the manufacturing sector in Malaysia", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 39 No. 6, pp. 391-399. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068291211224900
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited