The Structure and Determinants of Wage Relativities: Evidence from Australia

by Alison Preston

Overview

This title was first published in 2001. Drawing on the fields of labour economics and industrial relations, this book simultaneously applies human capital theory and institutional analysis to an explanation of occupational and other wage differentials. This outstanding study contains a wealth of reference material on both the economic and normative determinants of wages. Destined to become a landmark study in the area of Australian wage determination, the book is an essential text for labour economists, industrial relations specialists, researchers and policy makers alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138706385
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/22/2017
Series:	Routledge Revivals
Pages:	282
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.62(h) x (d)

About the Author

Alison C. Preston is Co-director, Women's Economic Policy Analysis Unit, Curtin Business School, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia and Co-editor of the Australian Journal of Labour Economics.

Table of Contents

Contents: Reflections on wage theory; Human capital model: a theoretical overview; Wages in practice: wage fixing in Australia; Human capital and earnings: a review of the literature; Determinants of male relative earnings; Determinants of female relative earnings; Equitable comparisons and spillover forces in wage determination; Summary and conclusion; Bibliography; Appendices; Index.

Editorial Reviews

In this book Dr Preston explores both the economic and social determinants of wage rates. She has made a singular contribution to our understanding of social forces by providing hard nosed empirical evidence concerning those forces. The book should be on the reading list of all those seeking greater understanding of the wage phenomenon in industrial societies.

David Plowman

Alison Preston draws on a rich tradition of political economy to cast a new light on the institutional and economic factors determining wage behaviour in the modern labour market. This book is a perceptive and original contribution to the literature.

Roy Green

...well written...tackles a substantial set of issues with authoritative command of both analytical techniques and of the very large relevant literature. It amounts to a substantial and original contribution to knowledge....exceptional.

William Brown

Alison Preston's book combines insights from the economics and industrial relations literature to provide a thorough study of the system of wage determination in Australia. It is a very useful reference for anyone seeking informaton on the working of the Australian labour market.

Paul Miller

Based largely on her Ph.D. dissertation for the University of Western Australia, Preston (Curtin U. of Technology) seeks to bridge the gap between how industrial relations and labor economics identify and measure the determinants of wages, an integration she finds crucial if scholarship is to influence policy wisely. Though the Australian labor market is the focus of her study, she asserts that the determinants there are not unique, and her findings should be applicable elsewhere as well. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

’...well written...tackles a substantial set of issues with authoritative command of both analytical techniques and of the very large relevant literature. It amounts to a substantial and original contribution to knowledge...exceptional.’ Professor William Brown. University of Cambridge, UK ’Alison Preston’s book combines insights from the economics and industrial relations literature to provide a thorough study of the system of wage determination in Australia. It is a very useful reference for anyone seeking information on the working of the Australian labour market.’ Professor Paul Miller, University of Western Australia ’In this book Dr Preston explores both the economic and social determinants of wage rates. She has made a singular contribution to our understanding of social forces by providing hard-nosed empirical evidence concerning those forces. The book should be on the reading list of all those seeking greater understanding of the wage phenomenon in industrial societies.’ Professor David Plowman, Director, University of Western Australia ’Alison Preston draws on a rich tradition of political economy to cast a new light on the institutional and economic factors determining wage behaviour in the modern labour market. This book is a perceptive and original contribution to the literature.’ Professor Roy Green, Head, Department of Management, NUI Galway, Ireland

From the Publisher