How have R&D investments and participation of high-skilled labour influenced the labour market in Taiwan ROC during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Purpose In this study, we examined whether industries in Taiwan that have spent more on research and development (R&D) during the COVID-19 pandemic have succeeded in mitigating the economic impact of the pandemic on them. Besides, we found out whether these industries in Taiwan could deter the economic shocks on account of the effect that their high R&D investment had on the wages they paid, particularly to high-skilled women workers (HSWW), during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach This study used the Heckman two-stage estimation method on a fixed model built on pooled cross-sectional data from 2014 to 2020. Findings Our findings suggest that the wages of HSWW have increased, particularly in those industries in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic that have spent more on R&D during this period, thus being able to endure the economic shocks of the pandemic. Originality/value This study provides some evidence in Taiwan for the pandemic of COVID-19. It is valuable for the experience of other countries.