Computers, Skills and Wages

Borghans, Lex and ter Weel, Bas (2001). Computers, Skills and Wages. UNU-MERIT Research Memoranda. UNU-MERIT.

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    Author Borghans, Lex
    ter Weel, Bas
    Title Computers, Skills and Wages
    Series Title UNU-MERIT Research Memoranda
    Volume/Issue No. 20
    Publication Date 2001
    Place of Publication Maastricht, NL
    Publisher UNU-MERIT
    Pages 51
    Language eng
    Abstract Computer use is mainly associated with skilled, high-wage workers. Furthermore, the introduction of computers leads to upgrading of skill requirements. This suggests that the computer requires certain skills to take full advantage of its possibilities. Empirical findings, however, suggest that the effects of computers on the labor market are complicated and difficult to trace. This paper offers a simple model and new empirical evidence from Britain showing how computers change the labor market. The model shows that wages are an important determinant of computer use and that neither computer skills nor complementary skills seem to be needed to explain skill upgrading. The empirical results are consistent with the model because they indicate that computer use is explained by wages rather than by skills and that wages are not related to computer skills.
    Copyright Holder UNU-MERIT
    Copyright Year 2001
    Copyright type All rights reserved
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    Created: Fri, 13 Dec 2013, 13:00:33 JST