The ontology of wages: human capital, digitalisation, and institutional medi ation in a transitional economy

Zakhidov , Azizbek

Innovation science and technologiy · 2026-yil

Annotatsiya

This article develops a conceptual and philosophical reassessment of wage determination in transitional labourmarkets. Rather than concentrating solely on empirical estimation or econometric modelling, it examines the ontologicaland epistemological foundations underlying dominant theories of wage formation—particularly human capital theory,skill-biased technological change, and institutional approaches to labour markets. The study seeks to clarify what wagesrepresent as economic phenomena and how they should be understood within structurally transforming economies.The analysis revisits the classical human capital framework, including the Mincer earnings function, alongside contemporaryperspectives that emphasise digitalisation, artificial intelligence, labour market segmentation, and institutional mediation.However, instead of treating these frameworks merely as technical tools for regression analysis, the article interrogatestheir implicit assumptions about productivity, causality, equilibrium adjustment, and the role of institutions. It evaluateshow concepts such as nonlinearity, structural heterogeneity, digital divides, and institutional rigidities challenge the viewof wages as purely competitive market outcomes determined exclusively by individual productivity.Special emphasis is placed on transitional and structurally volatile economies, where wage formation often reflects thecoexistence of market mechanisms, institutional legacies, regulatory constraints, and uneven technological diffusion. Insuch contexts, wages emerge not simply as the price of labour in equilibrium but as institutionally embedded outcomesshaped by bargaining structures, sectoral composition, digital access, ownership patterns, and exposure to economicshocks. The article argues that wage determination must be conceptualised as a multi-layered process mediated byinstitutional design, structural transformation, and evolving technological regimes.Methodologically, the study adopts a structured analytical and philosophical review approach. It contrasts theoreticalpropositions with micro-level empirical evidence from transitional economies while clarifying the ontological status ofwages and the epistemological strategies used to study them. Within this framework, wages are conceptualised asobservable monetary outcomes that reflect deeper structural and institutional mechanisms rather than as direct proxiesfor marginal productivity alone.The contribution of the article lies in reframing wage determination within a coherent philosophical perspective thatintegrates human capital theory, digital transformation, and institutional economics. By synthesising theoretical debatesand methodological considerations, the study establishes a rigorous conceptual foundation for future micro-level empiricalmodelling and policy-oriented research aimed at promoting equitable and productivity-enhancing wage structures ineconomies undergoing digital and structural transformation.

Maqola ma’lumotlari
MualliflarZakhidov , Azizbek
JurnalInnovation science and technologiy
NashriyotТошкент давлат иқтисодиёт университети
Nashr sanasi2026-01-01
Jild2
Son1
TilIngliz
Ilmiy sohaIqtisodiyot
DOI10.5281/zenodo.18811830
Indeksga qo‘shilgan2026-08-26

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18811830 · Maqolaning asl sahifasi

Kalit so‘zlar

Human Capital Theory; Digital Labour Markets; Institutional Mediation; Microeconomic Foundations; Labour Market Structure; Transitional Economy; Wage Formation; Economic Inequality; Technological Change

Ilmiy soha

Iqtisodiyot

Iqtibos keltirish

APAZakhidov , Azizbek (2026). THE ONTOLOGY OF WAGES: HUMAN CAPITAL, DIGITALISATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL MEDI ATION IN A TRANSITIONAL ECONOMY. Innovation science and technologiy, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18811830
GOST (OAK)Zakhidov , Azizbek THE ONTOLOGY OF WAGES: HUMAN CAPITAL, DIGITALISATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL MEDI ATION IN A TRANSITIONAL ECONOMY // Innovation science and technologiy. – 2026. – T. 2, № 1. – DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18811830.
MLAZakhidov , Azizbek. “THE ONTOLOGY OF WAGES: HUMAN CAPITAL, DIGITALISATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL MEDI ATION IN A TRANSITIONAL ECONOMY.” Innovation science and technologiy, 2(1), 2026. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18811830
ChicagoZakhidov , Azizbek. “THE ONTOLOGY OF WAGES: HUMAN CAPITAL, DIGITALISATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL MEDI ATION IN A TRANSITIONAL ECONOMY.” Innovation science and technologiy, 2(1) (2026). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18811830
HarvardZakhidov , Azizbek (2026) ‘THE ONTOLOGY OF WAGES: HUMAN CAPITAL, DIGITALISATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL MEDI ATION IN A TRANSITIONAL ECONOMY’, Innovation science and technologiy, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18811830
BibTeX
@article{zakhidovazizbek2026,
  title = {THE ONTOLOGY OF WAGES: HUMAN CAPITAL, DIGITALISATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL MEDI ATION IN A TRANSITIONAL ECONOMY},
  author = {Zakhidov , Azizbek},
  journal = {Innovation science and technologiy},
  year = {2026},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  doi = {10.5281/zenodo.18811830},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18811830}
}

Boshqa maqola uchun iqtibos tayyorlash

Innovation science and technologiy jurnalidan boshqa maqolalar

Innovation science and technologiy — barcha maqolalar · 2026-yil arxivi

Zakhidov , Azizbek — boshqa maqolalari

Iqtisodiyot sohasidagi boshqa maqolalar

Iqtisodiyot sohasidagi OAK jurnallari