Identification of 'Wasteful Commuting' using Search Theory

Arbeitspapier

In this paper, we employ search theory as a micro-economic foundation for the wasteful commuting hypothesis. It is argued that the commute of the self-employed is the result of a search process for vacant workplaces, whereas employees search for vacant jobs through space. Because the arrival rate of workplaces is much higher than the arrival rate of jobs, the self-employed essentially may minimise the commute, whereas employees accept jobs with a longer commute. In the empirical analysis, the extent of the ‘wasteful commuting’ is identified by estimating the difference in the commute of employees and self-employed individuals with fixed workplaces. Our estimates indicate that about 40 to 50% of the observed commute may be considered ‘wasteful’ due to job search imperfections. We reject alternative hypotheses why the self-employed have a shorter commute (self-selection of not working from home, different residence locations). In line with the theoretical model, the excess commute is shown to be less in areas with a higher urban density.

Angaben zum Objekt

• Sprache: Englisch

Verweise und Beziehungen

• Erschienen in: Series: Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper ; No. 05-088/3

Klassifikation und Themen

• Klassifikation: Wirtschaft ; Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics: Household Analysis: General ; Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
• Thema: wasteful commuting ; search ; mobility ; self-employed

Beteiligte, Orts- und Zeitangaben

• Ereignis: Geistige Schöpfung
• (wer): Ommeren, Jos Van ; der Straaten, Willemijn Van
• Ereignis: Veröffentlichung
• (wer): Tinbergen Institute
• (wo): Amsterdam and Rotterdam
• (wann): 2005

Weitere Informationen

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/86578
• Letzte Aktualisierung: 10.03.2025, 11:43 MEZ