This study examines the relationship between workers’ prior experience and labor productivity within Sweden’s creative industries. The effectiveness of knowledge transfer relies on the cognitive differences among employees. Using longitudinal matched employer–employee data, I assess workplace skill portfolios based on (i) employees’ previous occupations and (ii) the industries in which they have previously worked. The findings indicate that occupational experience diversity positively influences labor productivity, whereas industry experience diversity does not. Further distinguishing between related and unrelated experience, related occupational diversity enhances productivity, while unrelated occupational experience appears to negatively affect it. These results highlight the significance of the specific occupational skills that employees bring to new positions in driving labor productivity.
