Publication: Exporters, Engineers, and Blue-Collar Workers
Date
2016-05
ISSN
Published
2016-05
Author(s)
Abstract
This paper investigates differences in
the composition of employment between exporting and
non-exporting firms. In particular, it asks whether
exporting firms hire more engineers relative to blue-collar
workers than non-exporting firms. In a stylized
partial-equilibrium model, firms produce goods of varying
quality and exporters tend to produce higher quality goods,
which are intensive in engineers relative to blue-collar
workers. Firms are heterogeneous and more productive firms
become exporters and have a higher demand for engineers. The
paper provides causal evidence in support of these theories
using the Chilean Encuesta Nacional Industrial Anual, an
annual census of manufacturing firms. The results from an
instrumental variable estimator suggest that Chilean
exporters indeed utilize a higher share of engineers over
blue-collar workers.
Citation
“Brambilla, Irene; Lederman, Daniel; Porto, Guido. 2016. Exporters, Engineers, and Blue-Collar Workers; Exporters, Engineers, and Blue-Collar Workers. Policy Research Working Paper;No. 7686. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/24527 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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