<p>The level of real wages is one of the key variables-perhaps the key variable-in the economy. Understanding the processes by which wage levels are determined has proved a major task for economists, both theoretical and applied. Much of the effort has taken place within the context of the 'NAIRU' (or non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment)paradigm. According to this view, the long-run or 'natural' rate of unemployment is determined by the supply side. This would include incentives to work provided by the social security system as well as demographic factors-in Friedman's celebrated phrase, it is the rate that is 'ground out by the Walrasian system of equations' (Friedman, 1968).</p>
Authors
![Person graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-06/IFS-person-graphic.png?itok=hWCtTSrz)
Stephen Machin
![Person graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-06/IFS-person-graphic.png?itok=hWCtTSrz)
Kevin Denny
Journal article details
- ISSN
- Print: 0143-5671 Online: 1475-5890
- Issue
- May 1991
Suggested citation
Denny, K and Machin, S. (1991). 'The role of profitability and industrial wages in firm level wage determination' (1991)
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