Constructivist analysis of cross-sectional data on varieties of skills: Contextualities and generalities of skills packages and rewards to them in Ghana and Ethiopia.

Using cross-sectional data on the varieties of skills and employers' demands for them, this paper examines determinants of wages in the garment sector in Ghana and Ethiopia. It found that the effects of cognitive and technical skills are consistent, while those of noncognitive and behavioral skills are important but in different ways depending on the culture, work environment, and employers' expectations. Based on the empirical evidence from the survey using the author's unique assessment data, she promotes a comparative, constructivist approach to skills analysis departing from conventional institutionalism, which considers school as the predominant site of skills development. • The impact of cognitive and technical/hard skills is consistent across countries. • While the impact of noncognitive/behavioral skills is significant in both countries, their makeup is very different depending on the culture, work environment, and employers' expectations. • Years of schooling is a significant predictor of wages but not an indicator of workforce capacity. • Constructivist analysis using micro empirical data of the varieties of skills provides an accurate picture of diverse realities. • Standardized assessment tools and analytical methods make the constructivist study cross-sectionally comparable as well. • A discussion about skills development should overcome the conventional institutionalist framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]