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Do ICT Skill Shortages Hamper Firms' Performance? Evidence from UK Benchmarking Surveys 1

Abstract - In light of the increased relative demand for skilled labour associated with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), we combine survey data for UK enterprises in 1999 with post-survey financial data for the same enterprises to assess the impact of ICT skill shortages on firms' financial performance. There is clear evidence that ICT skill shortages have an indirect negative impact on performance through the restrictions that such deficiencies place on ICT adoption and on the intensity of ICT use post-adoption. However, there is only weak evidence of skill shortages impinging directly on performance at given levels of ICT adoption and utilisation.