Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP9308
Authors: Guy Michaels; Ferdinand Rauch; Stephen J. Redding
Abstract: We develop a new methodology for quantifying the tasks undertaken within occupations using 3,000 verbs from around 12,000 occupational descriptions in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOTs). Using micro-data from the United States from 1880-2000, we find an increase in the employment share of interactive occupations within sectors over time that is larger in metro areas than non-metro areas. We provide evidence that this increase in the interactiveness of employment is related to the dissemination of improvements in transport and communication technologies. Our findings highlight a change in the nature of agglomeration over time towards an increased emphasis on human interaction.
Keywords: Economic Development; Human Interaction; Urbanization
JEL Codes: N92; O18; R12
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Improvements in transport and communication technologies (L96) | Increase in employment in interactive occupations (J29) |
| Telephone use (L96) | Increase in employment in interactive occupations (J29) |
| Road construction (R42) | Increase in employment in interactive occupations (J29) |
| Improvements in transport and communication technologies (L96) | Changes in task content (M54) |
| Increase in employment in interactive occupations (J29) | Changes in task specialization (L23) |