Why Has Work Effort Become More Intense?

Francis Green

Studies in Economics from School of Economics, University of Kent

Abstract: Effort-biased technological change and other explanations for work intensification are investigated. It is hypothesised that technological and organizational changes are one important source of work intensification and supportive evidence is found using establishment data for Britain in the 1990s. Work intensification has also been stimulated by the use of high-commitment human resource policies. A reduction in union power, and a rise in the use of temporary agency workers and contractors, were positively associated with work intensification; however, their impact during the 1990s was comparatively modest.

Keywords: Labour supply; work effort; work intensity; wages; technical change; work organisation; unions; high commitment policies; incentives. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J22 J33 J51 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2002-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm and nep-pke
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

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