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Technology structure and skill structure: Costly investment and complementarity effects quantification

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  • Sochirca, Elena
  • Gil, Pedro Mazeda
  • Afonso, Oscar

Abstract

Based on an extended model of endogenous directed technical change and on cross-country data, we identify and quantify the long-run link between: (i) the technology structure (high- vs. low-tech sectors) and the skill structure (high- vs. low-skilled workers), by considering an explicit role for the (potential) complementarity between technological goods; (ii) the Tobin-q and the technology characteristics of the firms through their impact on economic growth. Our estimation and calibration exercise suggests the existence of a moderate degree of complementarity and of an elastic relationship between the Tobin-q and key technology parameters.

Suggested Citation

  • Sochirca, Elena & Gil, Pedro Mazeda & Afonso, Oscar, 2014. "Technology structure and skill structure: Costly investment and complementarity effects quantification," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 172-189.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jmacro:v:40:y:2014:i:c:p:172-189
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jmacro.2014.03.007
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    2. João Correia-da-Silva & Joana Pinho & Hélder Vasconcelos, 2013. "Cartel stability and profits under different reactions to entry in markets with growing demand," FEP Working Papers 487, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    High-tech; Low-tech; Skills; Complementarity; Tobin-q; Technological-knowledge bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models

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