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Skill Upgrading and the Real Exchange Rate

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Author Info
Roberto Álvarez
Ricardo A. López

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Abstract

This paper examines the effect of changes in the real exchange rate on skill upgrading in the case of Chile. Using plant-level data from the manufacturing sector, we find that a real depreciation increases the share of skilled workers in the total wage bill in exporters but not in non-exporters. This result suggests that depreciations or, more generally, increases in export profitability, may induce exporters to adopt more skill-intensive technologies. This finding gives support to recent models of trade that highlight the possible effect of the real exchange rate on skill upgrading and wage inequality. This paper also finds that real depreciations increase plants' export intensity, suggesting that skill upgrading for firms that are already exporters is the channel through which real exchange depreciations affect wage inequality. Copyright 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

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File URL: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9701.2009.01203.x
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Publisher Info
Article provided by Blackwell Publishing in its journal World Economy.

Volume (Year): 32 (2009)
Issue (Month): 8 (08)
Pages: 1165-1179
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Handle: RePEc:bla:worlde:v:32:y:2009:i:8:p:1165-1179

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