Brain drain or brain gain? Technology diffusion and learning on-the-job

Sampson, Thomas (2012) Brain drain or brain gain? Technology diffusion and learning on-the-job. CEP Discussion Papers (CEPDP1168). London School of Economics and Political Science. Centre for Economic Performance, London, UK.

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Abstract

This paper develops a theory of technology transfer when technology is embodied in human capital and learning requires on-the-job communication between managers and workers. Patterns of knowledge diffusion depend on where high knowledge managers work and how much time they allocate to training workers. Managers appropriate the surplus training creates and in the open economy managers face a cross-country trade-off between labor costs and the value of knowledge transfer. Complementarity between country-wide efficiency and managerial knowledge makes learning more valuable in the North meaning that high knowledge managers choose to work in the North and globalization precipitates a brain drain of high knowledge Southern agents to the North. The brain drain reduces learning opportunities in the South and exacerbates cross-country knowledge differences.

Item Type:	Monograph (Discussion Paper)
Official URL:	http://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/publications/series.asp?...
Additional Information:	© 2012 The Authors
Divisions:	Centre for Economic Performance
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor T Technology > T Technology (General)
JEL classification:	F - International Economics > F2 - International Factor Movements and International Business J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Time Allocation, Work Behavior, and Employment Determination and Creation; Human Capital; Retirement > J24 - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Technological Change; Research and Development > O33 - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
Date Deposited:	07 Aug 2013 14:45
Last Modified:	15 Sep 2023 23:27
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/51503

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