Is technological change really skill-based? Evidence from the introduction of ICT on the Italian textile industry (1980-2000)

This paper investigates the effects of the introduction of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the skills of a workforce. Using micro-data collected from workers in the textile sector, we analyse whether the introduction of ICT has modified workers' tasks, so that higher skills and longer training periods than before are necessary. Empirical evidence suggests that the adoption of ICT has no universal skill-biased effect for all occupations at least in the textile sector.