초록
As the IT labor captures an increasing proportion of the total labor, it is important to analyze the contribution of IT labor to national economy. Although there has been abundant research about the effect of IT investments, it is difficult to find a research about IT labor's economic contribution. Most prior studies on the effect of IT investment have focused on the effect of IT capital investment. This paper empirically explores whether and how IT labor makes contribution to Korean economy. And also this paper examines the economic contribution of IT experts and semi-experts in Korean industries over the 2000 to 2007 period, using production function framework and panel data set for 24 industries constructed from 'Input-Output table' and 'Research on Wage Structure Survey'. Based on the full sample of 120 observations, this study finds that a 1% increase in IT labor wage is associated with 0.042190% increase in added value. In the case of non-manufacturing industries on the sample of 50 observations, this study finds that a 1% increase in IT labor wage is associated with 0.074908% increase in added value. And in the case of IT experts (separated from IT semi-experts), this study finds that a 1% increase in IT expert's labor wage is associated with 0.013957% increase in added value of all industry. This study provides implication for policy makers and managers. The results suggests that non-manufacturing industries can capture further benefits by increasing investment in IT labor. Building on this study, future research should examine the impact of IT labor at a more detailed industry level and the firm level.