Do We Need Computer Skills to Use a Computer? Evidence from Britain

Lex Borghans and Bas ter Weel

No 685, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Using data from the 1997 Skills Survey of the Employed British Workforce, we examine the returns to computer skills in Britain. Many researchers, using information on computer use, have concluded that wage differentials between computer users and non-users might, among others, be due to differences in the embodiment of computer skills. Using unique information on the importance, level of sophistication and effectiveness of computer use, we show that computer skills do not yield significant labour market returns for most types of use. Examining the returns to computer skills at different levels of sophistication of use, yields estimates suggesting returns to computer skills at the highest level of sophistication of use only.

Keywords: computerization; wage level and structure; wage inequality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J31 O30 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 34 pages
Date: 2003-01
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Published - published in: Labour, 2006, 20 (3), 505-532

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Related works:
Working Paper: Do we need computer skills to use a computer?: evidence from Britain (2016)
Journal Article: Do We Need Computer Skills to Use a Computer? Evidence from Britain (2006)
Working Paper: Do We Need Computer Skills to Use a Computer? Evidence from Britain (2002)
Working Paper: Do we need computer skills to use a computer?: evidence from Britain (2002)
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