Transnational Labor Markets: Migration of Workers between Austria and Germany

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Andrea Weber; Professor Dr. Rudolf Winter-Ebmer
• Subject Area: Economic Policy, Applied Economics
• Term: from 2014 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 256806357

The main aims of this project proposal are to assess the incidence and characteristics of old age employment. In more detail, in the first project part we use two large scale administrative panel data sets to describe (1) characteristics of the last employment spell before retirement, (2) transition patterns into retirement, retirement age and (3) employment after retirement based on the characteristics of the employees, their employment histories and employers as well as the economic environment. In addition, the correlation between the three aspects of the employment of older employees is analysed.In the next project part, determinants of old age employment are first derived theoretically and then assessed empirically. With a focus on economic decisions, again employer and employee characteristics as well as the economic environment are included in the assessment. The last project part assesses again on the basis of theoretical hypotheses and using (a third) linked employer-employee data set whether human resource management measures have an influence on the characteristics of employment at old age. Going beyond the scarce and scattered existing evidence, this project for the first time gives a complete overview over characteristics and determinants of old age employment including not only the economic considerations of individuals but also the economic rationale of their employers and the impact of the economic environment. Policy and management implications of this project are the detection of potentials for higher labour market participation of older employees and their reasons and barriers. The in-depth analysis of a broad range of human resource management measures provides additional insights into possibilities for firms to increase the employment of older employees.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1764: The German Labour Market in a Globalised World: Challenges through Trade, Technology and Demographics
• International Connection: Austria, USA
• Co-Investigator: Professor David Card, Ph.D.
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Manfred Antoni; Dr. Parvati Trübswetter