Offshoring – Effects on technology and implications for the labor market

Manisha Goel

European Economic Review, 2017, vol. 98, issue C, 217-239

Abstract: I propose a “technology channel” through which imports of low-skilled intermediates (offshoring) benefit both high- and low-skilled workers by inducing capital deepening and innovation in developed countries. Data strongly support the presence of this channel. Offshoring is associated with large increases in technology variables – equipment-labor ratio and R&D intensity – and labor outcomes – employment and wage bills of high- and low-skilled workers. I formalize this channel in a structural model. Results show that it is the dominant mechanism through which offshoring affects labor outcomes, offsetting negative substitution effects on low-skilled wages, and generating a large welfare gain.

Keywords: Technological change; Offshoring; Wages; Employment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F16 J31 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:eecrev:v:98:y:2017:i:c:p:217-239

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2017.04.009

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