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Computer Use and the Employment Status of Older Workers: An Analysis Based on Individual Data

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  • Schleife, Katrin

Abstract

This paper analyzes computer use by older male employees and estimates the impact of computer use on their employment status, based on individual data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) for the years 1997 and 2001. In line with previous research on the diffusion of new technologies, a strong and negative relationship between the age of workers and computer use is found. In addition, the impact of occupational status and hourly wage on computer use is significantly positive. However, the estimated impact of computer use on the change in employment status of older workers becomes insignificant when controlling for individual and firm-specific characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Schleife, Katrin, 2004. "Computer Use and the Employment Status of Older Workers: An Analysis Based on Individual Data," ZEW Discussion Papers 04-62, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:zewdip:2351
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. John Heywood & Uwe Jirjahn & Georgi Tsertsvadze, 2011. "Part-time work and the hiring of older workers," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(28), pages 4239-4255.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    computer use; older workers; employment status;
    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
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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