Abstract
In this paper we analyze the determinants of union membership in the Netherlands. Not only the unionization decision is studied, but also the decision which confederation the workers will join. Furthermore, a test is presented to determine the nature of the decision process; we ask whether the decision to join a union and the decision which confederation to join are sequential or simultaneous decisions. The answer is not only of consequence for the model specification, but also affects the conclusions drawn from the estimations.
In our analysis we find a considerable number of significant variables, most of them with the expected sign. If a variable has an effect contrary to expectation this can largely be attributed to specific Dutch circumstances. This shows that a general theory on the determinants of union membership can never be wholly universal, but always has to allow for nationally determined exceptions.
Our results further demonstrate the importance of careful specification of the structure of the decision process. The comparison of the results of the multinomial and the sequential logit model show that misspecification of the decision structure can lead to false conclusions. In the Netherlands, the decision to become a union member is taken prior to the decision which particular union to join.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ashenfelter O, Johnson G (1972) Unionism, Relative Wages and Labor Quality in US Manufacturing Industries. Inter Econ Rev 13:857–859
Bain GS, Elias P (1985) Trade Union Membership in Great Britain: An Individual Level Analysis. British J Ind Rel 23:71–92
Bain GS, Elsheikh F (1979) An Inter-industry Analysis of Unionisation in Britain. Br J Ind Rel 17:137–157
Bain GS, Price RJ (1983) In: Bain GS (ed) Union Growth: Dimensions, Determinants and Destiny. Industrial Relations in Britain. Basil Blackwell, Oxford
van den Berg A (1989) The Determination of Union Growth and Decline. Unpublished Paper, University of Amsterdam
Booth AL (1986) Estimating the Probability of Trade Union Membership: A Study of Men and Women in Britain. Economica 53:41–62
Carruth A, Schnabel C (1990) Empirical Modelling of Trade Union Growth in Germany, 1956–1986: Traditional versus Cointegration and Error Correction Methods. Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv 2:326–346
Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS 1989) Leden van de Vakbeweging 1989. Sociaal-Economische Maandstatistiek Supplement No 4:11–24
Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS 1990) Sociaal-Economische Maandstatistiek 7, No 3
Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS 1991) Sociaal-Economische Maandstatistiek 8, No 1
Duncan GJ, Stafford FP (1980) Do Union Members Receive Compensating Wage Differentials? American Econ Rev 70:355–371
Duncan GM, Leigh DE (1980) Wage Determination in the Union and Nonunion Sectors: A Sample Selectivity Approach. Industrial and Labor Relations Rev 34:24–34
Farber HS, Saks DH (1980) Why Workers Want Unions: The Role of Relative Wages and Job Characteristics. J Polit Econ 88:349–369
Fiorito J, Greer ChR (1982) Determinants of US Unionism: Past Research and Future Needs. Ind Rel 21:1–33
Freeman RB (1976) Individual Mobility and Union Voice in the Labor Market. American Econ Rev Pap and Proc 66:361–368
Freeman RB, Medoff JL (1984) What Do Unions Do? Basic Books, New York
Hirsch BT, Addison JT (1986) The Economic Analysis of Unions. New Approaches and Evidence. Allen and Unwin, Boston
Hirsch BT, Berger MC (1984) Union Membership Determination and Industry Characteristics. Southern Economic J 50:665–679
Hundley G (1988) Education and Union Membership. Br J Ind Rel 26:195–201
Kornhauser R (1961) Some Social Determinants and Consequences of Union Membership. Labor History 2:30–61 (Winter)
Lee L-F (1978) Unionism and Wage Rates: A Simultaneous Equations Model with Qualitative and Limited Dependent Variables. Intern Econ Rev 19:415–433
Maddala G (1983) Limited-Dependent and Qualitative Variables in Econometrics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Mekkelholt E, Praat W, Brouwer E (1989) Werkloosheid in geografische beroepsdeelmarkten: Creatie en verantwoording. Research Memorandum 8928. Department of Economics, University of Amsterdam
Moore WJ, Newman RJ (1975) On the Prospects for American Trade Union Growth: A Cross-Section Analysis. Rev Econ Stat 57:435–445
Schippers JJ (1986) Determinanten van vakbondslidmaatschap. Sociaal Maandblad Arbeid 41:790–799
Schram A, Van Ophem H (1989) Sequential or Simultaneous Logit Models: A Wald Specification Test. Research Memorandum 89.10. Center for Research in Public Economics, Leiden University
Scoville JS (1971) Influences on Unionization in the US in 1966. Ind Rel 10:354–361
Shister J (1953) The Logic of Union Growth. J Polit Econ 55:77–88
Teulings C (1988) De grenzen van beroepsdeelmarkten. Tijdschrift voor Arbeidsvraagstukken 4:46–61
Visser J (1987) In Search of Inclusive Unionism. A Comparative Analysis. Dissertation, University of Amsterdam
Windmuller JP, De Galan C, Van Zweeden AF (1987) Arbeidsverhoudingen in Nederland. Het Spectrum BV, Utrecht; first published in 1969: Windmuller JP, Labor Relations in the Netherlands. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van den Berg, A., Groot, W. Union membership in the Netherlands: A cross-sectional analysis. Empirical Economics 17, 537–564 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01205395
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01205395