Abstract
In this paper we advance the argument that the widespread assumption that computerization and institutional changes are independent explanations for the resurgence of wage inequality is inaccurate. Instead we posit for complex dynamics between computerization and fading pay-setting institutions, arguing that the latter is a mechanism by which the former operates. To test our argument that computerization increases wage inequality not only via the mechanisms specified by skill-biased Technological Change, but also indirectly through structural processes, we utilize longitudinal U.S. industrial-level data on computerization, pay-setting institutions, and wage inequality. Estimating Error Correction Models, we find a stronger longitudinal association between computerization and wage inequality in industries where labor processes were subject to both computerization and the breakup of pay-setting institutions (such as labor unions) than in industries where these institutions never had much of a presence. These findings provide some evidence that computerization operates also through the mechanism of weakening labor market institutions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 33-47 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Research in Social Stratification and Mobility |
| Volume | 42 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Dec 2015 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research was supported by The Israel Science Foundation (ISF) (grant no: 1175/2011 ). An earlier version of this paper was presented at the summer meeting of the ISA Research Committee on Social Stratification and Mobility (2013) and the 108th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association (2013). We thank Thomas DiPrete, Torben Iversen, Shamus Khan and Adam Reich for their comments on earlier versions of this paper.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords
- Computerization
- Labor unions
- Rising wage inequality
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
