Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Akcomak, I. Semih
Author-Email: i.s.akcomak@cpb.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis,
	 UNU-MERIT, and Maastricht University
Author-Name: Borghans, Lex
Author-Email: lex.borghans@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: Maastricht University
Author-Name: Weel, Bas ter
Author-Email: b.ter.weel@cpb.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis,
	 UNU-MERIT, and Maastricht University
Title: Measuring and interpreting trends in the division of labour in the Netherlands
Abstract: This paper introduces indicators about the division of labour to measure 
	 and interpret recent trends in employment in the Netherlands. We show 
	 that changes in the division of labour occur at three different levels: 
	 the level of the individual worker, the level of the industry and the 
	 spatial level. At each level the current organisation of work is 
	 determined by an equilibrium of forces that glue tasks together and 
	 unbundled tasks. Communication costs are the main force for clustering 
	 or gluing together tasks; comparative advantage stimulates unbundling 
	 and specialisation. Our results show that on average the Netherlands has 
	 witnessed unbundling in the period 1996-2005. So, on average the 
	 advantages of specialisation have increased. These developments can 
	 explain to a considerable extent changes in the structure of employment. 
	 Especially at the spatial level our approach explains a substantial part 
	 of the increase in offshoring during this period.
Classification-JEL: F16, J23, J24
Keywords: offshoring, tasks, technology, trade, labour market
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 2010
Number: 2010-060
File-URL: https://unu-merit.nl/publications/wppdf/2010/wp2010-060.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 275 Kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2010060