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Skilled labor, unskilled labor, and economic growth

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Abstract

We study a growth model in which workers with different skill levels are imperfect substitutes. We show that economies with high substitutability between skilled and unskilled workers have high levels of capital, output, and a high proportion of skilled workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Mello, Marcelo, 2008. "Skilled labor, unskilled labor, and economic growth," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 100(3), pages 428-431, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:100:y:2008:i:3:p:428-431
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Diamond, Peter & McFadden, Daniel & Rodriguez, Miguel, 1978. "Measurement of the Elasticity of Factor Substitution and Bias of Technical Change," Histoy of Economic Thought Chapters, in: Fuss, Melvyn & McFadden, Daniel (ed.),Production Economics: A Dual Approach to Theory and Applications, volume 2, chapter 5, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought.
    2. Dupuy, Arnaud & de Grip, Andries, 2006. "Elasticity of substitution and productivity, capital and skill intensity differences across firms," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 90(3), pages 340-347, March.
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    4. N. Gregory Mankiw & David Romer & David N. Weil, 1992. "A Contribution to the Empirics of Economic Growth," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 107(2), pages 407-437.
    5. Francesco Caselli & Wilbur John Coleman II, 2006. "The World Technology Frontier," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(3), pages 499-522, June.
    6. David H. Autor & Lawrence F. Katz & Alan B. Krueger, 1998. "Computing Inequality: Have Computers Changed the Labor Market?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 113(4), pages 1169-1213.
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    3. Hee-Won Yang & Chan-Young Hong & Seong-Mun Jeong & Jeong-Dong Lee, 2012. "The military Expenditure and Economic Growth in the case of the South Korea : The dynamic Computational Equilibrium model in an Endogeneous Growth Perspective," EcoMod2012 4264, EcoMod.
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