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Is Human Capital Losing From Outsourcing? Evidence for Austria and Poland

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  • Lorentowicz, Andzelika
  • Marin, Dalia
  • Raubold, Alexander

Abstract

Feenstra and Hanson (1997) have argued in the context of the North American Free Trade Agreement that US outsourcing to Mexico leads to an increase in the skill premium in both the US and Mexico. In this paper we show on the example of Austria and Poland that with the new international division of labor emerging in Europe Austria, the high income country, is specializing in the low skill intensive part of the value chain and Poland, the low income country, is specializing in the high skill part. As a result, skilled workers in Austria are losing from outsourcing, while gaining in Poland. In Austria, relative wages for human capital declined by 2 percent during 1995-2002 and increased by 41 percent during 1994-2002 in Poland. In both countries outsourcing contributes roughly 35 percent to these changes in the relative wages for skilled workers. Furthermore, we show that Austria’s R&D policy has contributed to an increase in the skill premium there.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorentowicz, Andzelika & Marin, Dalia & Raubold, Alexander, 2005. "Is Human Capital Losing From Outsourcing? Evidence for Austria and Poland," Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems 76, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim, University of Munich.
    • Handle: RePEc:trf:wpaper:76
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marin, Dalia, 1995. "Learning and Dynamic Comparative Advantage: Lessons from Austria's Post-war Pattern of Growth for Eastern Europe," CEPR Discussion Papers 1116, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    foreign direct investment; wage inequality; transition economy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • P45 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - International Linkages

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