Article 2021

Skill shortages and skill mismatch: A review of the literature

Journal of Economic Surveys
Journal · Vol. 35 · Issue 4 · pp. 1145-1167
Abstract

We review the recent economic literature on skill shortages and skill mismatch by paying particular attention to the demand side of skill mismatch, which have not received much attention in the relevant literature. We discuss measurement issues and how skill shortages and mismatch vary both with the business cycle and with structural factors. We review the economic costs for workers and firms and conclude by considering the policy implications, including how responsibilities for skill development can best be shared and what role policies can play to better address skill shortages and mismatches. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Not provided

Index Keywords

skilled labor economic development literature review demand analysis labor supply cost analysis
Author Affiliations
Department of Economics and Management, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, PD, Italy
European Investment Bank, Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
1 Skills Tasks and Technologies Implications for Employment and Earnings, (2010)
2 Allen, Jim, Educational mismatches versus skill mismatches: Effects on wages, job satisfaction, and on-the-job search, Oxford Economic Papers, 53, 3, pp. 434-452, (2001)
3 Altonji, Joseph G., Cashier or consultant? Entry labor market conditions, field of study, and career success, Journal of Labor Economics, 34, S1, pp. S361-S401, (2016)
4 Welfare Costs of Skill Mismatch Employment, (2014)
5 Autor, David H., The skill content of recent technological change: An empirical exploration, Quarterly Journal of Economics, 118, 4, pp. 1279-1333, (2003)
6 Autor, David H., The China syndrome: Local labor market effects of import competition in the United States, American Economic Review, 103, 6, pp. 2121-2168, (2013)
7 Mismatch Cycles Mimeo, (2018)
8 Barron, John M., How well do we measure training?, Journal of Labor Economics, 15, 3, pp. 507-528, (1997)
9 People on the Move Migration and Mobility in the European Union, (2018)
10 Skill Shortages in German Establishments, (2014)
Quick Actions
Full Text via DOI
Citation Metrics
115
Times Cited (Scopus)

References 10
Document Identifiers