Development Models, Economic Adjustment, and Occupational Composition: Ecuador, 1982-1990

This paper considers the appropriateness of development model perspectives compared to cyclical frameworks of economic change, particularly for periods of economic decline. As a touchstone of broader processes, an occupational composition scale is employed. This represents human capital aspects of change, and includes as components occupation and economic activity of employment. Empirical focus is on mutations between 1982 and 1990 at the national level, by gender, and for regions within Ecuador. Results indicate that understanding change during periods of economic devolution is better achieved with economic cycle, than with development perspectives, but both offer critical insights. This implies an opportunity to meld these frameworks to more fully embrace ongoing processes in Third World settings.