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Learning in creative tasks: Evidence from a digital platform

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  • Zhong, Jiatong

Abstract

This paper explores learning-by-doing in the context of creative tasks using detailed data on fiction writers from a digital publishing platform. I construct measures to quantify authors' performance over time and document significant variation in both starting levels and rates of improvement. Learning manifests as an improvement in quality instead of the speed of production. Quality improvement can last for several years, much longer than typically observed in manufacturing settings, and authors do not improve fastest at the beginning. These findings show that human capital accumulation has distinctive features in the context of creative and complex tasks, which institutions should consider in the training and evaluation of new workers in creative occupations.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhong, Jiatong, 2024. "Learning in creative tasks: Evidence from a digital platform," CLEF Working Paper Series 83, Canadian Labour Economics Forum (CLEF), University of Waterloo.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:clefwp:308082
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    learning by doing; learning curves; creative tasks;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J46 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Informal Labor Market
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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