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Skills Shortage vs. Job Creation: A Review of Empirical Evidence on the Issue of ICTs and Employment

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  • Hannes Selhofer

Abstract

The creation of new opportunities for employment is ranking high on the political agenda and in the rhetoric of the European Union. The boom markets of the information and communication industries are regarded as a key area for future employment. The hope for new jobs is nourished by forecasts about future growth in these sectors. Also, studies describing the “IT skills gap”, i.e. the quite dramatic lack of IT professionals across countries and sectors, may suggest that a significant number of new jobs are being created. This paper is a contribution to the employment debate. It argues that empirical evidence does not support the theory that information and communication technologies will create enough new employment opportunities to fulfil the “promise of the information society”, although the dramatic demand for professionals is obvious. However, the paper argues that a defensive or hesitant strategy regarding policies for digital information and communication technologies will not be beneficial. The most important and practical question to be asked is: How can Europe improve and adapt its system of education and training in order to provide the digital economy with the required type and amount of skilled employees? Der Schaffung neuer Beschäftigungschancen wird in der politischen Agenda und in der Rhetorik der Europäischen Union ein hoher Stellenwert eingeräumt. Die boomenden Märkte der Informations- und Kommunikationsindustrie werden als vielversprechendster Bereich für zukünftige Beschäftigung gehalten. Die Hoffnung auf neue Arbeitstellen wird durch die positiven Wachstumsprognosen in diesen Sektoren genährt. Des weiteren ergeben Studien über das Defizit an informationstechnischen Qualifikationen, beispielsweise der eklatante Mangel an informationstechnischen Spezialisten in Ländern und Sektoren, dass neue Stellen auf einem signifikanten Niveau geschaffen werden können. Der vorliegende Aufsatz trägt zu dieser Beschäftigungsdebatte bei. Es wird gezeigt, dass empirische Befunde die Theorie, dass Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien das "Versprechen der Informationsgesellschaft" ausreichend neue Beschäftigungschancen zu schaffen, nicht unterstützen, obwohl die starke Nachfrage nach Spezialisten offensichtlich ist. Der Beitrag stellt aber auch heraus, dass eine defensive oder zögernde Strategie hinsichtlich der Politik für digitale Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien nicht förderlich ist. Es stellt sich die sehr wichtige und praktische Frage, wie Europa sein Erziehungs- und Ausbildungssystem verbessern und anpassen kann, um die digitale Ökonomie mit dem gewünschten Profil und der erforderlichen Menge an qualifiziertem Personal zu versorgen.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannes Selhofer, 2000. "Skills Shortage vs. Job Creation: A Review of Empirical Evidence on the Issue of ICTs and Employment," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 69(4), pages 510-526.
  • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwvjh:69-40-3
    DOI: 10.3790/vjh.69.4.510
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hannes Leo, 2000. "Arbeits- und Qualifikationsnachfrage im Telekom- und Mediensektor," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 19222.
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