Abstract
The existing literatures have not systematically studied and reached a consensus on the relationship between labor costs and energy intensity. This study introduces the mediation model to solve the theoretical disputes, and proposes three mediating effects of labor costs on energy intensity, i.e., substitution effect, industrial structure effect, and total factor productivity effect. The bootstrap confidence interval method and causal steps approach are used to test the mediating effects and decompose total effect. As indicated by the empirical study using panel data of 22 emerging economies, the total effect of rising labor costs on energy intensity is negative. The contributions of substitution effect, industrial structure effect and total factor productivity effect to the total effect are −21.8%, 8.9% and 76.4% respectively. Therefore, the total factor productivity growth turns out to be the main way in which labor costs affect energy intensity in emerging economies. These findings provide new empirical support for the Neo-classical growth theory and Environment Kuznets Curve hypothesis from the perspective of labor costs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
