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Establishment size and the task content of jobs: evidence from 46 countries

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  • Micole De Vera
  • Javier Garcia‐Brazales

Abstract

Using a mix of household‐ and employer‐based survey data from 46 countries, we provide novel evidence that workers in larger establishments perform more non‐routine analytical tasks, even within narrowly defined occupations. Moreover, workers in larger establishments rely more on the use of information and communication technologies to perform these tasks. We also document a 15% raw wage premium that workers in larger establishments enjoy relative to their counterparts in smaller establishments. A mediation analysis shows that our novel empirical facts on the task content of jobs are able to explain 5–20% of the establishment size wage premium, a similar fraction to what can be explained by selection of workers on education, gender and age.

Suggested Citation

  • Micole De Vera & Javier Garcia‐Brazales, 2025. "Establishment size and the task content of jobs: evidence from 46 countries," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 92(366), pages 548-579, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:econom:v:92:y:2025:i:366:p:548-579
    DOI: 10.1111/ecca.12563
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    2. Artz, Benjamin & Heywood, John S., 2025. "Does Performance Pay Deter Job Quits?," IZA Discussion Papers 17791, IZA Network @ LISER.
    3. Artz, Benjamin & Heywood, John S., 2025. "Performance pay and job quits," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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