Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Working Paper Series,
Research Institute of Industrial Economics

No 1522: The Role of Specialized Knowledge and ‘Know-How’ for Firm Total Factor Productivity: Evidence from Breeding and Racing in the Equine Industry

Pia Nilsson (), Hans Andersson () and Tobias Heldt ()
Additional contact information
Pia Nilsson: Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN), Postal: and The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Hans Andersson: The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Tobias Heldt: Center for Tourism and Leisure Research, Dalarna University

Abstract: Using matched employer–employee data, we investigate the influence of human capital inputs on firm productivity. Several variables are used to measure firms’ access to skilled labor, such as their share of employees with occupation-specific education and experience in horse breeding and hippology and access to a local pool of skilled labour. The results show that occupation-specific training is associated with an average productivity premium of 11%, but there is significant heterogeneity in the extent that firms that can gain from workers with specialized training of relevance to the industry. The results have implications for policy and firms investment decisions.

Keywords: Human capital; Skills; Productivity; Equine industry

JEL-codes: D22; D24; J24

Language: English

37 pages, First version: February 21, 2025. Revised: May 19, 2025. Earlier revisions: May 19, 2025.

Full text files 

wp1522.pdf PDF-file Full text

Download statistics

Questions (including download problems) about the papers in this series should be directed to Elisabeth Gustafsson ()
Report other problems with accessing this service to Sune Karlsson ().

RePEc:hhs:iuiwop:1522This page generated on 2025-05-19 09:54:16.