Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/105542 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2000
Series/Report no.: 
Department of Economics Discussion Paper No. 0003
Publisher: 
University of Kent, Department of Economics, Canterbury
Abstract: 
I investigate possible explanations for work intensification, using four British data sets. I conjecture that an important source of work intensification is effort-biased technical change (EBTC), which enhances the productivity of high effort workers relative to that of low effort workers. EBTC can be traced to innovations such as Total Quality Management and to information technology, and is linked with multi-skilling. I argue that EBTC is complementary with skill-biased technological change. Additional sources of intensification are the increasing use of intra-firm communication policies, and the declining power of unions. All the above receive empirical support. However, evidence also shows that neither increased teamworking nor, contrary to popular expectations, changing job insecurity has raised average effort levels.
Subjects: 
Labour supply
work effort
work intensity
JEL: 
J22
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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