D01 - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying PrinciplesReturn

The question of the minimum wage has been constantly discussed in scientific economic literature. The dominant economic paradigm is neoclassical economics, which must cope with the attacks from modern streams of economic thought. The article analyses the fundamental differences in the approaches of the mainstream neoclassical and modern behavioural approach to labour economics. The comparison of the neoclassical and behavioural interpretation of the minimum wage points to the basic differences in the approach to the minimum wage. Neoclassical economics is founded on the theoretical basis of the competitive market and presents a reserved attitude to the minimum wage. From the position of positive economics, it demonstrates the decline in employment and the rise in unemployment as a consequence of this external intervention into market forces. It is, in essence, considered as inefficient redistribution, which acts as demotivation. Behavioural economics stems from imperfectly competitive labour markets and applies a normative approach: it articulates what the minimum wage should be. This line of reasoning leads to the concept of a "living wage" and a "social wage". The empirical studies support both the neoclassical and the behavioural approach towards labour markets. It would seem suitable to consider markets according to the type of competition and treat them differently regarding impact assessment and eventual minimum wage introduction.

The article examines the variables underlying an individual's decision to donate money to a non-profit organisation. Based on a content analysis of leading foreign research, we identify and systematise factors that may affect an individual's decision to donate money, and we carry out an empirical testing in the Czech Republic. This article presents answers to the following question: which determinants affect significantly the willingness to donate? What does the model of donor behaviour look like on a selected sample? The authors apply a theoretical justification set of variables affecting donor behaviour to a questionnaire survey. Multiple linear regression analysis and binary logistic regression are used to determine which of the variables is the most influential. Among the statistically significant variables we can include: respondent's income, age, relations with the organisation and employees, the final beneficiary, religious orientation, affection, compassion and solidarity, gratitude, social responsibility and moral obligation, self-centred, feel good, pity, faith in justice.

The article deals with a subject s decisions about his individual labour supply. It explains the development of this problem from the cardinalistic point of view, characteristic for marginalistic economists, concerning ordinalistic decision-making between consumption and free time. The gist of this contribution is extending the basic neo-classical model in the sense of analysing selected application cases. Considered to be one of the most important applications of this model, household decision-making about labour supply has been analysed. Shared childcare and running the household as a unit influences the labour supply of the family members.