Data and code for: The Human Capital Effects of Access to Elite Jobs

Principal Investigator(s):  View help for Principal Investigator(s) Huayu Xu, Peking University

Version:  View help for Version V1

Name File Type Size Last Modified
  Replication Data and Files 06/17/2023 10:37:AM

Project Citation: 

Xu, Huayu. Data and code for: The Human Capital Effects of Access to Elite Jobs. Nashville, TN: American Economic Association [publisher], 2024. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2024-05-31. https://doi.org/10.3886/E184241V1

Project Description

Summary:  View help for Summary
We study the human capital effects of access to elite bureaucratic jobs in Taiwan, where performance on an examination determines entry into the civil service. Historically, quotas for successful applicants were set based on the 1948 populations of individuals' native provinces in mainland China. This resulted in a higher probability of success on the exam - and thus greater access to elite positions - for descendants of certain migrant groups. These preferential quotas were replaced in 1962 with a uniform admissions policy. Using this variation, we find that the incentives created by preferential quotas increased human capital and improved long-run economic outcomes.
Funding Sources:  View help for Funding Sources National Natural Science Foundation of China (72103007)

Scope of Project

Subject Terms:  View help for Subject Terms public sector; merit-based recruitment; civil service exam; human capital investment
JEL Classification:  View help for JEL Classification
      D73 Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
      J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
      M51 Personnel Economics: Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions
Geographic Coverage:  View help for Geographic Coverage Taiwan
Time Period(s):  View help for Time Period(s) 1942 – 1952
Collection Date(s):  View help for Collection Date(s) 1980 – 2000
Universe:  View help for Universe people in Taiwan born between 1942 and 1952
Data Type(s):  View help for Data Type(s) aggregate data; census/enumeration data; program source code; survey data

Methodology

Data Source:  View help for Data Source 1980 full-count Taiwanese Population Census
Statistical Yearbooks of Civil Service Examinations
Report on the 1956 Population Census of Taiwan
Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of China (1951)
 Yearbook of the Republic of China (1948)
Social Image Survey (SIS)
Taiwan Social Change Survey (TSCS)
public-use 1950 US Population Census
Unit(s) of Observation:  View help for Unit(s) of Observation Individual
Geographic Unit:  View help for Geographic Unit Native Province

Related Publications

Download this project

Published Versions

V1 [2024-05-31]

Export Metadata

Dublin Core

DDI 2.5

Report a Problem

Found a serious problem with the data, such as disclosure risk or copyrighted content? Let us know.

This material is distributed exactly as it arrived from the data depositor. ICPSR has not checked or processed this material. Users should consult the investigator(s) if further information is desired.