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The Structure Of Firm R&D, The Factor Intensity Of Production, And Skill Bias

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  • James D. Adams

Abstract

This paper explores the effect of research and development (R&D) and capital on factor intensity and skill bias in a sample of manufacturing plants. Firm and industry R&D as well as plant level capital increase the factor intensity of labor over materials. In contrast, skill bias originates in portions of capital and R&D. Equipment capital and firm R&D in the same product as a plant are consistently skill biased, while structures are biased against skill. Furthermore, general firm and industry R&D increase investment in equipment but not structures. This shows that the skill bias of R&D occurs through two distinct channels. First, firm R&D specific to the product increases the relative demand for skilled labor directly and in the short run through the cost function. Second, general firm and industry R&D exert an additional skill bias by favoring equipment over structures in the long run, demonstrating the broader compass of the skill bias of R&D over time. © 1999 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Suggested Citation

  • James D. Adams, 1999. "The Structure Of Firm R&D, The Factor Intensity Of Production, And Skill Bias," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 81(3), pages 499-510, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:81:y:1999:i:3:p:499-510
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