Full Citation

Title: Task Specialization in U.S. Cities from 1880-2000

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2017

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Abstract: We develop a new methodology for quantifying the tasks undertaken within occupations using over 3,000 verbs from more than 12,000 occupational descriptions in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOTs). Using micro-data from the United States from 1880-2000, we nd an increase in the employment share of interactive occupations within sectors over time that is larger in metro areas than non-metro areas. We interpret these ndings using a model in which reductions in transport and communication costs induce urban areas to specialize according to their comparative advantage in interactive tasks. We presenting suggestive evidence relating increases in employment in interactive occupations to improvements in transport and communication technologies. Our ndings highlight a change in the nature of agglomeration over time towards an increased emphasis on human interaction.

Url: http://users.ox.ac.uk/~econ0360/FerdinandRauch/divlabor_24Aug2017.pdf

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Authors: Michaels, Guy; Rauch, Ferdinand; Redding, Stephen J

Publisher: London School of Economics and CEP

Data Collections: IPUMS USA, IPUMS NHGIS

Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Other

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