Task specialization in U.S. cities from 1880-2000

Michaels, Guy, Rauch, Ferdinand and Redding, Stephen J. (2013) Task specialization in U.S. cities from 1880-2000. Centre for Economic Performance discussion papers, CEPDP1186. Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.

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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.

Item Type:	Monograph (Discussion Paper)
Official URL:	http://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/publications/series.asp?...
Additional Information:	© 2013 The Authors
Library of Congress subject classification:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Journal of Economic Literature Classification System:	N - Economic History > N9 - Regional and Urban History > N92 - U.S.; Canada: 1913- O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O18 - Regional, Urban, and Rural Analyses R - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics > R1 - General Regional Economics > R12 - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade
Sets:	Departments > Economics Research centres and groups > Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) Collections > United States Collection
Identification Number:	CEPDP1186
Date Deposited:	01 Mar 2013 13:30
URL:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/48925/

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