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New Technology and Loss of Paid Employment among Older Workers: Prospective Cohort Study

Author

Listed:
  • Emil Sundstrup

    (National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Annette Meng

    (National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Jeppe Z. N. Ajslev

    (National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Karen Albertsen

    (Team Working Life, 2500 Valby, Denmark)

  • Flemming Pedersen

    (Team Working Life, 2500 Valby, Denmark)

  • Lars L. Andersen

    (National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark)

Abstract

Background: This study investigates the association between the implementation of new technology in the workplace and the subsequent loss of paid employment among older workers. Methods: We estimated the prospective risk of loss of paid employment (register-based) from questions on new technology among 10,320 older workers (≥50 years). To investigate potential differences between work types, analyses were stratified by job function: (1) work with symbols (office, administration, analysis, IT), (2) work with people (people, service, care), (3) work in the field of production (processing, producing or moving things). Results: The introduction of new technology at the workplace reduced the risk of losing paid employment among older workers working with symbols (risk ratio [RR] 0.74, 95% CI 0.72–0.76) and in the field of production (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.80–0.85), whereas new technology increased this risk among those working with people (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.19–1.26). Being involved in the introduction of new technology and receiving adequate training in its use decreased the risk of loss of paid employment. Conclusions: Depending on the context, the introduction of new technology at work associates positively as well as negatively with future labour market participation among older workers. Worker involvement and adequate training in the use of new technology seem to be important for retaining workers in the labour market.

Suggested Citation

  • Emil Sundstrup & Annette Meng & Jeppe Z. N. Ajslev & Karen Albertsen & Flemming Pedersen & Lars L. Andersen, 2022. "New Technology and Loss of Paid Employment among Older Workers: Prospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-13, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7168-:d:836493
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pierre-Jean Messe & Eva Moreno-Galbis & François-Charles Wolf, 2014. "Retirement intentions in the presence of technological change: Theory and evidence from France," TEPP Working Paper 2014-04, TEPP.
    2. Melanie Arntz & Terry Gregory & Ulrich Zierahn, 2016. "The Risk of Automation for Jobs in OECD Countries: A Comparative Analysis," OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers 189, OECD Publishing.
    3. Frey, Carl Benedikt & Osborne, Michael A., 2017. "The future of employment: How susceptible are jobs to computerisation?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 254-280.
    4. Monica Molino & Claudio G. Cortese & Chiara Ghislieri, 2020. "The Promotion of Technology Acceptance and Work Engagement in Industry 4.0: From Personal Resources to Information and Training," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-15, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Peng Zhao & Fangcheng Tang, 2024. "Digitalization’s Effect on Chinese Employment Mechanism Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-22, February.

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