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Technological Change and Managerial Ability: Evidence from a Malaysian Artisanal Fishery

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  • Ben Gilbert
  • Bee Hong Yeo

Abstract

Technological progress can improve economic development, but its role in the harvest of common resources has received little attention. We study the relationship between skill and the use of electronic and mechanical innovations in the productivity of Malaysian artisanal fishers. Surprisingly, electronics users do not define the frontier, and mechanical winch adopters produced well inside it. We show that if technology is a skill substitute rather than a complement, then it helps less efficient users “catch up” to the production frontier. Policy makers must balance the implications for participation rates and resource depletion against gains for the least-skilled participants.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben Gilbert & Bee Hong Yeo, 2014. "Technological Change and Managerial Ability: Evidence from a Malaysian Artisanal Fishery," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 90(2), pages 352-371.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:landec:v:90:y:2014:ii:1:p:352-371
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    Cited by:

    1. Shaikh M.S.U. Eskander & Edward B. Barbier & Benjamin Gilbert, 2018. "Fishing and Nonfishing Income Decisions: The Role of Human Capital and Family Structure," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 94(1), pages 114-136.
    2. Wehner, Nicholas & FAO,, 2017. "Improving our knowledge on small-scale fisheries: data needs and methodologies," MarXiv vnwc2, Center for Open Science.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • Q22 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Fishery

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