What Explains Skill Upgrading in Less Developed Countries?

Nina Pavcnik

No 7846, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Although many developing countries have experienced growing income inequality and an increase in the relative demand for skilled workers during the 1980s, the sources of this trend remain a puzzle. This paper examines whether investment and adoption of skill-biased technology have contributed to within-industry skill upgrading using plant-level data from Chile. Using semiparametric and parametric approaches, I investigate whether plant-level measures of capital and investment, the use of imported materials, foreign technical assistance, and patented technology affect the relative demand for skilled workers. I find positive relationship between these measures and skill upgrading. Capital deepening and the adoption of skill biased technology therefore might contribute to the increased relative demand for skilled workers within industries.

JEL-codes: F16 J31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2000-08
Note: ITI
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (22)

Published as Pavcnik, Nina. "What Explains Skill Upgrading In Less Developed Countries?," Journal of Development Economics, 2003, v71(2,Aug), 311-327.

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Journal Article: What explains skill upgrading in less developed countries? (2003)
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