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Partial Specialization and Heterogeneous Task Assignments

Chen Liu

American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics2026https://doi.org/10.1257/mac.20230209article
AJG 4ABDC A*
Weight
0.50

Abstract

I develop a general equilibrium model featuring multidimensional skills and partial specialization in tasks to quantify the impact of several determinants on within-occupation inequality growth from 1980 to 2000. The model introduces a new mechanism by which demand shifts affect inequality: Workers within the same occupation perform multiple and different tasks. I structurally estimate the model using microdata and account for inequality growth due to three sources: changes in occupation demand, changes in the task content of occupations, and changes in labor composition. My findings indicate that changes in task content explain the majority of within-occupation inequality growth. (JEL D63, J21, J22, J23, J24)

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1257/mac.20230209

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@article{chen2026,
  title        = {{Partial Specialization and Heterogeneous Task Assignments}},
  author       = {Chen Liu},
  journal      = {American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1257/mac.20230209},
}

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Partial Specialization and Heterogeneous Task Assignments

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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