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Returns to Skills and Personnel Management: U.S. DoD Scientists and Engineers

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  • Gibbs, Michael

    (University of Chicago)

Abstract

Personnel records are used to examine compensation, recruitment, and retention of a group of very highly skilled workers: civilian scientists and engineers in U.S. Department of Defense laboratories. In contrast to the private sector, returns to skills were largely flat for this group from 1982-1996. Despite this, quality and performance of recruits relative to earlier cohorts, and of those retained relative to those who left, remained stable. One explanation is the importance of defense-industry-specific human capital. These results hold for three different pay plans, including the federal government’s primary plan and two intended to introduce greater flexibility in personnel management.

Suggested Citation

  • Gibbs, Michael, 2005. "Returns to Skills and Personnel Management: U.S. DoD Scientists and Engineers," IZA Discussion Papers 1539, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp1539
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    returns to skills; personnel; workforce quality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets

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