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Adjusting to Skill Shortages: Complexity and Consequences

Author

Listed:
  • Healy, Joshua

    (NILS, Flinders University)

  • Mavromaras, Kostas

    (University of Adelaide)

  • Sloane, Peter J.

    (Swansea University)

Abstract

Skill shortages are often portrayed as a major problem for the economies of many countries including the Australian economy. Yet, there is surprisingly little evidence about their prevalence, causes and consequences. This paper attempts to improve our understanding about these issues by using econometric methods to analyse the Business Longitudinal Database, an Australian panel data-set with information about skill shortages in small- and medium-sized businesses during 2004/05. We use this information to: (1) explore the incidence of skill shortages and the business attributes that are associated with them; (2) identify which businesses face more complex skill shortages, as measured by the number of different causes reported simultaneously; and, uniquely, (3) examine how this complexity affects businesses' responses to skill shortages and aspects of their subsequent performance. We show that complex skill shortages are more likely than simpler (single-cause) skill shortages to persist and to trigger defensive responses from businesses. We reject the conception of skill shortages as a homogenous phenomenon, and demonstrate the importance of distinguishing between skill shortages according to whether they have simple or complex causes.

Suggested Citation

  • Healy, Joshua & Mavromaras, Kostas & Sloane, Peter J., 2011. "Adjusting to Skill Shortages: Complexity and Consequences," IZA Discussion Papers 6097, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp6097
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haskel, Jonathan & Martin, Christopher, 1993. "The Causes of Skill Shortages in Britain," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 45(4), pages 573-588, October.
    2. Shah, C & Burke, G, 2005. "Skills Shortages: Concepts, Measurement and Policy Responses," Australian Bulletin of Labour, National Institute of Labour Studies.
    3. Haskel, Jonathan & Martin, Christopher, 2001. "Technology, Wages, and Skill Shortages: Evidence from UK Micro Data," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 53(4), pages 642-658, October.
    4. Uschi Backes-Gellner & Simone N. Tuor, 2010. "Avoiding Labor Shortages by Employer Signaling: On the Importance of Good Work Climate and Labor Relations," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 63(2), pages 271-286, January.
    5. Francis Green & Stephen Machin & David Wilkinson, 1998. "The Meaning and Determinants of Skills Shortages," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 60(2), pages 165-187, May.
    6. Haskel, Jonathan & Martin, Christopher, 1993. "Do Skill Shortages Reduce Productivity? Theory and Evidence from the United Kingdom," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 103(417), pages 386-394, March.
    7. Michael Coelli & Roger Wilkins, 2008. "Are Skills Shortages a Constraint on Increasing Employment in Australia?," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 41(3), pages 310-322, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Akomah Benjamin Boahene & Ahinaquah Laud Kwamina & Mustapha Zakari, 2020. "Skilled Labour Shortage in the Building Construction Industry Within the Central Region," Baltic Journal of Real Estate Economics and Construction Management, Sciendo, vol. 8(1), pages 83-92, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    small medium enterprises; skill shortages;

    JEL classification:

    • J0 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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