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Exporting firms and the demand for skilled tasks

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  • Irene Brambilla
  • Daniel Lederman
  • Guido Porto

Abstract

This paper explores the link between exports and the demand for skilled tasks. Using the Chilean Encuesta Nacional Industrial Anual (ENIA), an annual census of manufacturing firms, we first show that Chilean exporters utilize more skills than Chilean non-exporters. More importantly, we establish a distinct pattern of task differentiation among exporters both within skilled and unskilled tasks. Exporting firms demand the services of skilled specialized workers (engineers) as opposed to skilled administrative workers and managers. In addition, exporters demand less unskilled labour, especially blue-collar operatives. This suggests that exporters substitute skilled engineers for unskilled blue-collar workers to perform export-related tasks.

Suggested Citation

  • Irene Brambilla & Daniel Lederman & Guido Porto, 2019. "Exporting firms and the demand for skilled tasks," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 52(2), pages 763-783, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:cje:issued:v:52:y:2019:i:2:p:763-783
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.12382
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    Cited by:

    1. Irene Brambilla & Andrés Cesar & Guillermo Falcone & Guido Porto, 2022. "Organizational Hierarchies and Export Destinations," CEDLAS, Working Papers 0297, CEDLAS, Universidad Nacional de La Plata.
    2. Carlo Perroni & Davide Suverato, 2023. "Skills scarcity and export intensity," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 56(2), pages 719-757, May.
    3. Paulo Bastos & Joana Silva & Eric Verhoogen, 2018. "Export Destinations and Input Prices," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 108(2), pages 353-392, February.
    4. Yang, Chih-Hai & Tsou, Meng-Wen, 2022. "Exports and the demand for skilled labor in China: Do foreign ownership and trade type matter?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    5. García Muñoz, Teresa María & Milgram Baleix, Juliette & Odeh, Omar Odeh, 2020. "Inequality in Latin America: The role of the nature of trade and partners," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 14, pages 1-35.
    6. Chiappini, Raphaël & Jégourel, Yves, 2021. "“The buck stops with the executives”: Assessing the impact of workforce composition and cultural distance on French firms’ exports," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 45-57.
    7. Sossdorf, Fernando, 2022. "Winners take all (the most): The effects of market concentration on labor share and wage inequality," MPRA Paper 113642, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Feicheng Wang & Chris Milner & Juliane Scheffel, 2022. "Export destination and the skill premium: Evidence from Chinese manufacturing industries," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 55(2), pages 1057-1094, May.
    9. repec:eee:inecon:v:82:y:2010:i:2:p:99-111 is not listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations

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