Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/192575 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
Discussion Papers No. 593
Publisher: 
Statistics Norway, Research Department, Oslo
Abstract: 
We estimate the effect of exposure to plant closure on crime using an individual-level panel data set containing criminal charges for all unmarried and employed Norwegian men below the age of 40. Men originally employed in plants that subsequently closed are 14 percent more likely to be charged of a crime than comparable men in stable plants. There is no difference in charge rates prior to closure, supporting a causal interpretation of our result. Within crime categories, we find no effect of plant closure on property crime, perhaps because closure has a small and insignificant effect on subsequent earnings. We estimate an effect of plant closure on categories of non-acquisitive crime, suggesting a role for mental distress or idleness. A role for idleness is supported by evidence that the effects of plant closure on crime tend to be more pronounced for crimes committed during the week than on weekends.
Subjects: 
crime
plant closure
plant downsizing
displacement
JEL: 
J12
J63
J65
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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