Emphasis on allocative efficiency: This emphasis makes students realize that society has an interest in how labor markets function. Chapter 7 brings together the literature on the principal-agent problem and the "new economics of personnel" in a single chapter. Chapter 8, the wage structure, with its thorough treatment of wage differentials and the chapters on government's impact on labor markets (12 and 13) also distinguish this text.

Logical Organization: Stress is placed on logical organization of subject matter both from chapter-to-chapter (micro to macro, simple theory to real-world complications, analysis to policy) and within each chapter (liberal use of subheads, clear and direct writing style). The writing is clear, direct, and uncluttered to make the material is accessible as possible.

Extensive Pedagogy: chapter opening paragraphs state goals and tie material to prior or future chapters. Each chapter has summaries, key terms and concepts, open end and numerical problems, lists of basic references, "Quick Review" summaries and "Your Turn" questions, two-three short "World of Work mini-readings, comprehensive glossary at the end of the text.

Internet Exercises: Each chapter has one or two Internet exercises. These exercises provide an opportunity for students to increase their understanding of the material as well as obtain the most current data available.

Global Perspective Boxes integrated into almost every chapter compare the features of the American labor market to other countries.

Use of Line Graphs: To make the main points regarding data more accessible, this edition uses line graphs rather than tables where appropriate.