arrow
Return

Partial Specialization and Heterogeneous Task Assignments

delete2026-04-01
delete0
PRE
AI
DOI:10.1257/mac.20230209delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
I develop a general equilibrium model featuring multidimensional skills and partial specialization in tasks to quantify the impact of several determinants on within-occupation inequality growth from 1980 to 2000. The model introduces a new mechanism by which demand shifts affect inequality: Workers within the same occupation perform multiple and different tasks. I structurally estimate the model using microdata and account for inequality growth due to three sources: changes in occupation demand, changes in the task content of occupations, and changes in labor composition. My findings indicate that changes in task content explain the majority of within-occupation inequality growth. (JEL D63, J21, J22, J23, J24)
Keywords:
WAGE INEQUALITY
TECHNOLOGICAL-CHANGE
RELATIVE WAGES
JOB TASKS
MODELS
SKILLS
POLARIZATION
RETURNS
DEMAND
TRADE

Journal

A
American Economic Journal-Macroeconomics
IF:
5.7
Papers:
1.4K
Citations:
4.4K

Organization

N
National University of Singapore
Scholars:
7.5W
Papers: 6.5W
Citations: 11.4W