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Multi-Country Tasks Measures: Beyond US-based Data and a Focus on Migration

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppe De Arcangelis

    (Department of Social Sciences and Economics, Sapienza University of Rome (IT).)

  • Rama Dasi Mariani

    (Department of Social Sciences and Economics, Sapienza University of Rome (IT).)

Abstract

The US-based O*NET database is commonly used for multi-country studies on labor markets and migration by assuming invariant occupation technology, i.e. the quantitative assignment of tasks to occupations. We claim that the OECD dataset PIAAC (Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies) could provide a valid alternative to obtain country-specific task measures. The US presence in both datasets allows us to compare the consistency of the two data sources along two dimensions. First, we compute the correlation coefficients between aggregate task indexes and they are very high (rarely less than 0.7). Secondly, we use the PIAAC database to replicate the empirical model in Peri and Sparber (2009) on US natives’ task upgrading after a migration shock, and the results are strikingly similar to the original O*NET-based estimates. The multi-country variability of PIAAC-based task indexes for European countries are non-negligible; hence, we recommend these PIAAC-based measures for future multi-country analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe De Arcangelis & Rama Dasi Mariani, 2019. "Multi-Country Tasks Measures: Beyond US-based Data and a Focus on Migration," Working Papers 5/19, Sapienza University of Rome, DISS.
  • Handle: RePEc:saq:wpaper:5/19
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gianmarco I. P. Ottaviano & Giovanni Peri, 2021. "Rethinking The Effect Of Immigration On Wages," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Firms and Workers in a Globalized World Larger Markets, Tougher Competition, chapter 9, pages 245-290, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
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    Cited by:

    1. Aleksandra Parteka & Joanna Wolszczak-Derlacz, 2020. "Wage response to global production links: evidence for workers from 28 European countries (2005–2014)," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 156(4), pages 769-801, November.
    2. Chad Sparber & Madeline Zavodny, 2022. "Immigration, Working Conditions, and Compensating Differentials," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 75(4), pages 1054-1081, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Occupational Network Information (O*NET); Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC); Migration; Task Upgrading.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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