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Outsourcing and the skilled–unskilled wage gap

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  • Anwar, Sajid

Abstract

Within the context of a product variety model, this paper examines the impact of outsourcing of skill-intensive tasks on the skilled–unskilled wage gap. Outsourcing affects the wage gap through direct as well as indirect channels. While outsourcing decreases the effective wage of skilled workers in the services sector, owing to inter-sectoral labour mobility, its overall impact on the equilibrium skilled wage is positive. Through an increase in the size of external economies in the industrial sector, outsourcing can reduce the unskilled wage. In overall terms, outsourcing of skill-intensive tasks increases the skilled–unskilled wage gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Anwar, Sajid, 2013. "Outsourcing and the skilled–unskilled wage gap," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 118(2), pages 347-350.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:118:y:2013:i:2:p:347-350
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2012.11.024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Jingjing, 2015. "International factor mobility, elasticity of substitution in production and the skilled–unskilled wage gap," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 122-129.
    2. Sun, Sizhong & Anwar, Sajid, 2015. "Taxation of labour, product varieties and skilled–unskilled wage inequality: Short run versus long run," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 250-257.
    3. Aleksandra Parteka & Joanna Wolszczak-Derlacz, 2015. "Offshoring and skilled-unskilled wage gap in selected EU countries (1995–2009)," Collegium of Economic Analysis Annals, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of Economic Analysis, issue 39, pages 151-166.
    4. Pi, Jiancai & Zhou, Yu, 2013. "Institutional quality and skilled–unskilled wage inequality," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 356-363.
    5. Rashmi Ahuja & Sugata Marjit, 2022. "Liberalizing Trade and Capital Flows and the Wage Gap: Does Sequencing Matter?," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 33(2), pages 375-389, April.
    6. Pi Jiancai & Zhao Runzhi, 2020. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Wage Inequality," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, July.
    7. Anwar, Sajid & Sun, Sizhong, 2015. "Taxation of labour income and the skilled–unskilled wage inequality," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 18-22.
    8. Pi Jiancai & Ge Yang & Yin Jun, 2017. "The Impacts of Rural Property Rights on Urban Unemployment, Wage Inequality, and Welfare in Developing Countries," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 17(1), pages 1-15, February.
    9. Anwar, Sajid & Sun, Sizhong & Valadkhani, Abbas, 2013. "International outsourcing of skill intensive tasks and wage inequality," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 590-597.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Skilled–unskilled wage gap; Outsourcing; Product varieties; Monopolistic competition; Economies of scale;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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