This paper presents the first study of the economic effects of a citywide minimum wage---San Francisco's adoption of a minimum wage of $8.50 in early 2004. Using data from a balanced panel of restaurants and a variety of control groups, the authors find that the policy increased pay, compressed...

Outsourcing of labor services grew substantially during the 1980s and 1990s and was associated with lower wages, fewer benefits, and lower rates of unionization. The authors focus on two occupations for which they can identify outsourcing in those two decades using industry and occupation codes:...

Many studies document a positive correlation between workplace computerization and employment of skilled labor in production. Why does this correlation arise? The authors posit that improvements in computer-based technology create incentives to substitute machinery for people in performing tasks...