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Technological Change and Wages in China: Evidence From Matched Employer-Employee Data

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  • Vinod Mishra
  • Russell Smyth

Abstract

We examine the relationship between research and development (R&D) intensity and wages, using a unique matched employer-employee dataset. The dataset has the advantage that it links firm-level investment in R&D to individual employee wages and allows us to control for both employee and employer characteristics. Our main finding is that a one standard deviation increase in R&D intensity is associated with an increase in the hourly wage rate between 3.4 per cent and 6.9 per cent for the full sample, depending on the exact specification. We find that the wage elasticity with respect to R&D intensity is higher in larger firms as well as for better educated workers and workers with technical certification/skills. We also find, consistent with the rent-sharing hypothesis, that the wage elasticity with respect to R&D intensity is higher for workers who belong to the Communist Party or trade union.

Suggested Citation

  • Vinod Mishra & Russell Smyth, 2012. "Technological Change and Wages in China: Evidence From Matched Employer-Employee Data," Monash Economics Working Papers 28-12, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:mos:moswps:2012-28
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    2. Zhou, Yixiao & Tyers, Rod, 2019. "Automation and inequality in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    3. Yixiao Zhou, 2014. "Role of Institutional Quality in Determining the R&D Investment of Chinese Firms," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 22(4), pages 60-82, July.
    4. Ichiro Iwasaki & Xinxin Ma, 2020. "Gender wage gap in China: a large meta-analysis," Journal for Labour Market Research, Springer;Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), vol. 54(1), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Iwasaki, Ichiro & Ma, Xinxin, 2020. "Gender Wage Gap in China: A Large Meta-Analysis," CEI Research Paper Series 2020-5, Center for Economic Institutions, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    6. Zagler, Martin & Amighini, Alessia & Fang, Weidi, 2023. "On the evolution of the wage premium for party membership in China," Department of Economics Working Paper Series 351, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.
    7. Hansa Jain, 2018. "Technological Change, Skill Supply and Wage Distribution: Comparison of High-Technology and Low-Technology Industries in India," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 61(2), pages 299-320, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    R&D; China; Wages; Shanghai;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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