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Non-neutral technology, firm heterogeneity, and labor demand

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  • Zhang, Hongsong

Abstract

In firm-level panel data, labor share exhibits large cross-sectional differences and a declining trend over time. This study examines the role of non-Hicks neutral technology differences across firms and over time in explaining these patterns. The non-Hicks neutral technology allows for differential factor-augmenting efficiencies for capital, labor, and material, and it has direct implications on labor shares. Estimated using firm-level production data and variation in input prices, evidence from the Chinese steel industry affirms the large heterogeneity of the non-Hicks neutral technology across firms, and its change over time is also highly non-Hicks neutral toward saving labor. The non-Hicks neutral technology explains over 50 percent of the 5.01-percentage points decline in labor share in the sample period, mainly due to the evolution of heterogeneous non-Hicks neutral technology and the resulting reallocation effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Hongsong, 2019. "Non-neutral technology, firm heterogeneity, and labor demand," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 145-168.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:140:y:2019:i:c:p:145-168
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2019.06.001
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    3. Shoki Kusaka & Tetsuji Okazaki & Ken Onishi & Naoki Wakamori, 2022. "The Decline of Labor Share and New Technology Diffusion: Implications forMarkups andMonopsony Power," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-1208, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo.
    4. Hoang, Trang & Mitra, Devashish & Pham, Hoang, 2024. "The Effect of Export Market Access on Labor Market Power: Firm-Level Evidence from Vietnam," IZA Discussion Papers 17196, IZA Network @ LISER.
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    9. Guo, Bingnan & Feng, Weizhe & Lin, Ji, 2024. "The impact of green finance on labor income share: Evidence from green finance reform and innovation pilot zone," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 1347-1358.
    10. Bee Yan Aw & Yi Lee, 2025. "R& D investments, outsourcing and non-neutral productivity growth," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 63(2), pages 199-218, April.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • D33 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Factor Income Distribution
    • E25 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Aggregate Factor Income Distribution

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