Technology adoption and human capital: exploring the gender and cross-country impact 1870–2010

Technology adoption and human capital are crucial determinants of economic growth. Here we use a fixed-effect panel model to measure the link between technology adoption and human capital for a sample of 104 countries since 1870–2010 using (HCCTA) and long-run enrolment ratios and educational attainment datasets. Unobserved heterogeneity factors (institutional, tradition, culture, economy type, educational system, migration, innovation, patents) account for the observed difference across countries/regions. Gender difference plays a role in the technology diffusion–human capital relationship, not a vital one. Advanced economies rode on the first three industrial revolutions, with Eastern Europe catching up on the third and fourth industrial waves. The economies of the East used the fourth industrial revolution to converge and surpass other regions. The results show that technology is necessary but not a sufficient determinant of human capital growth. Selective technology adoption policy, accompanied by supporting educational policy (entrepreneurial and research universities) stimulates technology, diffusion, and knowledge spillover. Our results are robust for including population and growth as significant technology adoption and human capital determinants (conditioning variables). Technology, diffusion, and a human capital link is a two-way street with many constraints.