Town and city jobs: job contents, skills and city size

Time: Tuesday November 20th, 13.00-14.00 hours
Location: CPB-office, Van Stolkweg 14, The Hague

Presentation: Suzanne Kok (CPB, RuG)

Discussant: Jan Rouwendal (VU)

Language: English

Registration:  Please register by sending an email to seminars@cpb.nl.

Abstract subject: This paper shows that a job contains a different task-package in a large city than the same job in a small city. We set out a theoretical model of the division of labour across cities relying on the model of James Baumgardner. The theoretical model suggests that the spatial variation in job contents is the result of an unequal spatial distribution of both the demand for certain tasks and the supply of skilled workers. Most dataset hinder an empirical analysis of such a model as they lack spatial variation in job content. Using individual German task data, we are able to empirically estimate our model and analyse spatial variations in task content. The estimations support the predictions of the model: jobs in large cities consist of other task packages than the same jobs in small cities. Workers in large cities focus more on their core-tasks and perform fewer subtasks than workers in small cities. Jobs require more cognitive skills when they are performed in large cities.

Seminars
CPB organises seminars for researchers. During these seminars, always held on Tuesday from 1.00 pm. to 2.00 pm., academic papers are presented and discussed. Read here how to subscribe (or unsubscribe) to our alert service (CPB Calendar).

Policy seminars
CPB also organises Policy seminars for policy makers, researchers and other stakeholders. These Policy seminars focus on policy implications. Policy seminars are held on Thursday from 1.00 pm. to 2.00 pm. Read here how to subscribe (or unsubscribe) to our alert service (CPB Calendar).