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COVID-19 and automation: Evidence from European countries

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Lábaj

    (University of Economics in Bratislava)

  • Matej Vitáloš

    (University of Economics in Bratislava)

Abstract

We add new empirical evidence on the link between COVID-19, job losses and automation. This is the first analysis using European data covering the period up to August 2022. We first show that during the second and third year of the pandemic, workers in automatable occupations were more likely to lose their job. However, this effect disappears after accounting for the fact that workers at high risk of automation were more likely to lose their job even before COVID-19. Our results differ from those of other empirical studies and indicate that the declared intentions of firms to automate production due to COVID-19 may not have materialized, as we find no acceleration in job losses of automatable workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Lábaj & Matej Vitáloš, 2024. "COVID-19 and automation: Evidence from European countries," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 44(1), pages 112-121.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-23-00535
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dingel, Jonathan I. & Neiman, Brent, 2020. "How many jobs can be done at home?," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    2. Leonardo Bonilla-Mejía & Luz A. Florez & Didier Hermida & Francisco Lasso & Leonardo Fabio Morales & Juan Jose Ospina & José Pulido, 2023. "Is the COVID-19 Pandemic Fast-Tracking Automation in Developing Countries? Evidence from Colombia," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 17(4), pages 593-616.
    3. Guillermo Gallacher & Iqbal Hossain, 2020. "Remote Work and Employment Dynamics under COVID-19: Evidence from Canada," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 46(S1), pages 44-54, July.
    4. Coombs, Crispin, 2020. "Will COVID-19 be the tipping point for the Intelligent Automation of work? A review of the debate and implications for research," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; automation; job loss; unemployment; European Social Survey; Difference-in-Differences;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • J2 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor

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