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Do Recessions Accelerate Routine-Biased Technological Change? Evidence from Vacancy Postings

Author

Listed:
  • Brad J. Hershbein

    (W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research)

  • Lisa B. Kahn

    (Yale University)

Abstract

We show that skill requirements in job vacancy postings differentially increased in MSAs that were hit hard by the Great Recession, relative to less hard-hit areas. These increases persist through at least the end of 2015 and are correlated with increases in capital investments, both at the MSA and firm-levels. We also find that effects are most pronounced in routine-cognitive occupations, which exhibit relative wage growth as well. We argue that this evidence is consistent with the restructuring of production toward routine-biased technologies and the more-skilled workers that complement them, and that the Great Recession accelerated this process.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

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  • Brad J. Hershbein & Lisa B. Kahn, "undated". "Do Recessions Accelerate Routine-Biased Technological Change? Evidence from Vacancy Postings," Upjohn Working Papers hk-18aer, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:upj:weupjo:hk-18aer
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    File URL: https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/aer.20161570
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Job polarization; job postings; RBTC; recessions; routine-biased technological change; upskilling; vacancies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • 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
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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