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The role of specific and general human capital after displacement

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  • Ben Kriechel
  • Gerard Pfann

Abstract

Displaced workers experience significant and long-lasting wage losses. However, the average wage losses hide the tremendous differences among workers. So far, the differences are explained by differences in accumulated on-the-job experience, education level, age, and so on, but a large variation among similar workers remain. In this paper we investigate the effect of general and specific human capital on the unemployment duration and wage losses during the first three years following displacement. Information on the specificity of a job or function allows us to quantify the impact on the wage losses. We are able to rank positions in terms of the specificity of accumulated human capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben Kriechel & Gerard Pfann, 2005. "The role of specific and general human capital after displacement," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 223-236.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:edecon:v:13:y:2005:i:2:p:223-236
    DOI: 10.1080/09645290500031439
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Lamo, Ana & Messina, Julián & Wasmer, Etienne, 2011. "Are specific skills an obstacle to labor market adjustment?," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 240-256, April.
    2. Teixeira, Aurora A.C. & Tavares-Lehmann, Ana Teresa, 2014. "Human capital intensity in technology-based firms located in Portugal: Does foreign ownership matter?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 737-748.
    3. Ludivine Martin & Uyen T. Nguyen-Thi & Caroline Mothe, 2021. "Human resource practices, perceived employability and turnover intention: does age matter?," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(28), pages 3306-3320, June.
    4. Beker, Victor A., 2012. "A case study on trade liberalization: Argentina in the 1990s," Economics Discussion Papers 2012-3, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    5. Garcia Martinez, Marian & Zouaghi, Ferdaous & Sanchez Garcia, Mercedes, 2017. "Capturing value from alliance portfolio diversity: The mediating role of R&D human capital in high and low tech industries," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 55-67.

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