Details
| Translated title of the contribution | Job export through..Offshoring"? Effects of economic integration in North America |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| Pages (from-to) | 20-25 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Geographische Rundschau |
| Volume | 61 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
The NAFTA agreement was meant to stimulate trade and economic integration among the North American countries USA, Canada, and Mexico. However, the economic integration of countries with different wage structures also induces a movement of jobs. NAFTA-induced job losses in the U.S. have been a key argument against NAFTA since the early stages of political debate. This paper recalls the fundamental economic forces that lead to an off-shoring of industrial activities and jobs. On a theoretical base, the pros and cons are evaluated. Further, the regional structure of NAFTA-induced job losses is analyzed. As a correlate to the shift of industrial activities away from the U.S., Mexico's maquiladora industries have witnessed dynamic growth. Within the U.S., job losses have affected many states, in particular in the South. However, the geography of job losses seems to be less important than its connection with laborers' educational background. It is predominantly low-skilled jobs that have been lost in U.S. industry. These jobs were subject to competition from Mexican low-cost labor. On the other hand, off-shoring has helped to sustain competitiveness of U.S. industry as a whole, and secure high- skilled jobs.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences(all)
- Geography, Planning and Development
- Environmental Science(all)
- Water Science and Technology
- Energy(all)
- General Energy
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- Atmospheric Science
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In: Geographische Rundschau, Vol. 61, No. 6, 06.2009, p. 20-25.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Arbeitsplatzexport durch Offshoring
AU - Liefner, Ingo
AU - Schmid, Dominik
PY - 2009/6
Y1 - 2009/6
N2 - The NAFTA agreement was meant to stimulate trade and economic integration among the North American countries USA, Canada, and Mexico. However, the economic integration of countries with different wage structures also induces a movement of jobs. NAFTA-induced job losses in the U.S. have been a key argument against NAFTA since the early stages of political debate. This paper recalls the fundamental economic forces that lead to an off-shoring of industrial activities and jobs. On a theoretical base, the pros and cons are evaluated. Further, the regional structure of NAFTA-induced job losses is analyzed. As a correlate to the shift of industrial activities away from the U.S., Mexico's maquiladora industries have witnessed dynamic growth. Within the U.S., job losses have affected many states, in particular in the South. However, the geography of job losses seems to be less important than its connection with laborers' educational background. It is predominantly low-skilled jobs that have been lost in U.S. industry. These jobs were subject to competition from Mexican low-cost labor. On the other hand, off-shoring has helped to sustain competitiveness of U.S. industry as a whole, and secure high- skilled jobs.
AB - The NAFTA agreement was meant to stimulate trade and economic integration among the North American countries USA, Canada, and Mexico. However, the economic integration of countries with different wage structures also induces a movement of jobs. NAFTA-induced job losses in the U.S. have been a key argument against NAFTA since the early stages of political debate. This paper recalls the fundamental economic forces that lead to an off-shoring of industrial activities and jobs. On a theoretical base, the pros and cons are evaluated. Further, the regional structure of NAFTA-induced job losses is analyzed. As a correlate to the shift of industrial activities away from the U.S., Mexico's maquiladora industries have witnessed dynamic growth. Within the U.S., job losses have affected many states, in particular in the South. However, the geography of job losses seems to be less important than its connection with laborers' educational background. It is predominantly low-skilled jobs that have been lost in U.S. industry. These jobs were subject to competition from Mexican low-cost labor. On the other hand, off-shoring has helped to sustain competitiveness of U.S. industry as a whole, and secure high- skilled jobs.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=67650089588&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Artikel
AN - SCOPUS:67650089588
VL - 61
SP - 20
EP - 25
JO - Geographische Rundschau
JF - Geographische Rundschau
SN - 0016-7460
IS - 6
ER -