In a seminal paper, Gibbons and Katz (1991) develop and empirically test an asymmetric information model of the labor market. The model predicts that wage losses following displacement should be larger for layoffs than for plant closings, which was borne out by data from the Displaced Workers...

Barron, Berger, and Black pulling together in one place answers to important questions regarding access to training opportunities, the duration of OJT across workers who differ by job and personal characteristics, and how accurately we are able to measure training.

Siegel provides evidence that technology adoption is associated with downsizing, skill upgrading, greater employee empowerment, and a widening wage gap. Unlike previous studies that use industry-level data, Siegel collected firm-level data on technology usage and labor composition which enable...

Leigh examines nine demonstration projects and operating programs to determine how well public retraining programs for displaced workers fulfill their roles.

Bloom presents findings from the Texas Worker Adjustment Demonstration, a 2,192-person randomized experimental evaluation of reemployment programs for displaced workers conducted at three sites in Texas. This project demonstrated that a relatively inexpensive mix of job-search assistance and...

Hollenbeck, using a combined qualitative/quantitative approach, estimates the linkage between workplace literacy programs and the reason for their existence - increased productivity requirements. He utilizes in-depth case studies as well as a large database to look at the costs and benefits of...

This book explores human capital and its relationship to issues such as demographics, population growth, families, workplace training and economic progress.