Does Training Generally Work? The Returns to In-Company Training

Alan Barrett and Philip O'Connell

No 51, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper applies the familiar theoretical distinction between general and specific training to the empirical task of estimating the returns to in-company training. Using a firm-level dataset which distinguishes between general and specific training, we test for the relative effects of the two types of training on productivity growth. We find that although general training has a statistically positive effect on productivity growth, no such effect is observable for specific training. This positive effect of general training remains when we control for factors such as changes in work organisation and corporate re-structuring, firm size and the initial level of human capital in the enterprise. Moreover, the impact of general training varies positively with the level of capital investment.

Keywords: productivity growth; specific training; General training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 34 pages
Date: 1999-08
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

Published - published in: Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 2001, 54 (3), 647-662

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Related works:
Journal Article: Does Training Generally Work? The Returns to in-Company Training (2001)
Working Paper: Does Training Generally Work? The Returns to In-Company Training (1998)
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