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on Unemployment, Inequality and Poverty |
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Issue of 2024‒06‒24
three papers chosen by |
| By: | David G. Blanchflower; Alex Bryson |
| Abstract: | We examine union-non-union differentials in wages and hours in the United States over the last 50 years using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). The regression-adjusted difference between union members’ and non-members’ hourly earnings has been falling since the Great Recession. The union differential in weekly wages has been more stable. Although it fell by around 5 log points during COVID it remains 15 log points. This weekly earnings differential arises from both a higher hourly wage of around 10 log points and longer working hours (5 log points). The working hours differential partly reflects unions’ ability to tackle under-employment, such that union workers work closer to the hours they desire than their non-union counterparts. The traditional focus on hourly wage differentials underplays the important role trade unions play in maintaining members’ weekly earnings by ensuring workers receive the paid hours they desire. |
| JEL: | J22 J51 |
| Date: | 2024–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32471&r= |
| By: | Antman, Francisca M. (University of Colorado, Boulder); Doran, Kirk (University of Notre Dame); Qian, Xuechao (Stanford University); Weinberg, Bruce A. (Ohio State University) |
| Abstract: | Using the EconLit dissertation database and large-scale algorithmic methods that identify author demographics from names, we investigate the connection between the gender of economics dissertators and dissertation topics. Despite stagnation in the share of women among economics Ph.D.s in recent years, there has been a remarkable rise in gender-related dissertations in economics over time and in many sub-fields. Women economists are significantly more likely to write gender-related dissertations and bring gender-related topics into a wide range of fields within economics. Men in economics have also substantially increased their interest in gender-related topics. |
| Keywords: | economic research, gender, dissertation |
| JEL: | I23 J16 O30 |
| Date: | 2024–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16980&r= |
| By: | Bloom, David E. (Harvard School of Public Health); Prettner, Klaus (Vienna University of Economics and Business); Saadaoui, Jamel (Université de Strasbourg); Veruete, Mario (Quantum DataLab) |
| Abstract: | How will the emergence of ChatGPT and other forms of artificial intelligence (AI) affect the skill premium? To address this question, we propose a nested constant elasticity of substitution production function that distinguishes among three types of capital: traditional physical capital (machines, assembly lines), industrial robots, and AI. Following the literature, we assume that industrial robots predominantly substitute for low-skill workers, whereas AI mainly helps to perform the tasks of high-skill workers. We show that AI reduces the skill premium as long as it is more substitutable for high-skill workers than low-skill workers are for high-skill workers. |
| Keywords: | automation, artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, skill premium, wages, productivity |
| JEL: | J30 O14 O15 O33 |
| Date: | 2024–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16972&r= |