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Technology adoption and specialized labor

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  • Carroni, Elias
  • Delogu, Marco
  • Pulina, Giuseppe

Abstract

Empirical evidence identifies shortages of specialized labor as one of the main obstacles to technology adoption. In this paper, we explain this phenomenon by developing a model in which firms require specialized labor to produce with a new (more efficient) technology. We assume that the cost of specializing labor increases with the efficiency gains that can be attained through the new technology. This reveals two opposing effects on the endogenous share of specialized labor. On the one hand, there is a wage effect by which efficiency gains widen the wage gap between specialized and unspecialized workers, raising the share of specialized labor. On the other hand, there is a learning effect by which efficiency gains increase specialization costs, reducing the share of specialized labor. We show the learning effect will dominate when products are sufficiently differentiated.

Suggested Citation

  • Carroni, Elias & Delogu, Marco & Pulina, Giuseppe, 2023. "Technology adoption and specialized labor," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 249-259.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:inteco:v:173:y:2023:i:c:p:249-259
    DOI: 10.1016/j.inteco.2023.01.003
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Technology adoption; Education; Product differentiation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education

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