Article
Technology and employment. Twelve stylized facts for the digital age
Indian Journal of Labour Economics
(2018)
Abstract
Twelve stylized facts on the relationship between technology and employment are proposed in this paper as a summary of current trends, conceptual issues, methodological approaches and research results. They include the following: 1. Technology is shaped by social relations; 2. Technology saves human labour; technological unemployment is a serious concern; 3. In the digital age the nature and boundaries of work are changing; 4. Different technological strategies have contrasting employment effects; 5. Industries differ in their employment dynamics and role of technology; 6. We can see the employment impact of technology at the firm, industry and macroeconomic levels; 7. Technological change is a disequilibrium process; demand and structural change matter; 8. Business cycles affect technological change and its employment impact; 9. The impact of technology is different across occupations and skills; 10. Labour market conditions are relevant, but employment outcomes are not determined in labour markets alone; 11. In emerging countries employment outcomes are jointly affected by technology and catching up; 12. Technology is an engine of inequality; profits benefit more than wages, wage disparities increase. They have important policy implications in several areas of public action.
Keywords
- Technology,
- Employment,
- Skills,
- Labour markets,
- Digital economy
Disciplines
Publication Date
2018
Citation Information
Mario Pianta. "Technology and employment. Twelve stylized facts for the digital age" Indian Journal of Labour Economics (2018) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mario_pianta/151/