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How is new technology changing job design?

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Gibbs

    (University of Chicago, USA, and IZA, Germany)

  • Sergei Bazylik

    (University of Chicago, USA)

Abstract

The IT revolution has had dramatic effects on jobs and the labor market. Many routine manual and cognitive tasks have been automated, replacing workers. By contrast, new technologies complement and create new non-routine cognitive and social tasks, making work in such tasks more productive, and creating new jobs. This has polarized labor markets: while low-skill jobs stagnated, there are fewer and lower-paid jobs for middle-skill workers, and higher pay for high-skill workers, increasing wage inequality. Advances in AI may accelerate computers’ ability to perform cognitive tasks, heightening concerns about future automation of even high-skill jobs.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Gibbs & Sergei Bazylik, 2022. "How is new technology changing job design?," World of Labour, LISER, pages 344-344, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:2022:n:344
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Damiani, Mirella & Pompei, Fabrizio & Kleinknecht, Alfred, 2020. "When robots do (not) enhance job quality: The role of innovation regimes," MPRA Paper 103059, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Nissim, Gadi & Simon, Tomer, 2021. "The future of labor unions in the age of automation and at the dawn of AI," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    4. Wang, Linhui & Cao, Zhanglu & Dong, Zhiqing, 2023. "Are artificial intelligence dividends evenly distributed between profits and wages? Evidence from the private enterprise survey data in China," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 342-356.
    5. Eling, Martin & Jaenicke, Christoph, 2020. "Digitaler Wandel – Neue Arbeitsformen und ihre Konsequenzen für die Vorsorge," I.VW HSG Schriftenreihe, University of St.Gallen, Institute of Insurance Economics (I.VW-HSG), volume 68, number 68.
    6. Gerten, Elisa & Beckmann, Michael & Bellmann, Lutz, 2018. "Controlling working crowds: The impact of digitalization on worker autonomy and monitoring across hierarchical levels," Working papers 2018/09, Faculty of Business and Economics - University of Basel.
    7. Andrew Ledingham & Michael Hollins & Matthew Lyon & David Gillespie & Umar Yunis-Guerra & Jamie Siviter & David Duncan & Oliver P. Hauser, 2025. "Beyond Automation: Redesigning Jobs with LLMs to Enhance Productivity," Papers 2512.05659, arXiv.org.
    8. Garnett Picot & Feng Hou, 2024. "Immigration and the shifting occupational distribution in Canada, 2001 to 2021," Economic and Social Reports 202400300006e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies and Modelling Branch.
    9. Sarah Bankins & Paul Formosa, 2023. "The Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) For Meaningful Work," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 185(4), pages 725-740, July.
    10. Maissa N. Alrawashdeh & Rula Odeh Alsawalqa & Ann Alnajdawi & Rami Aljboor & Fawzi AlTwahya & Abdullah Mahmod Ibrahim, 2024. "Workplace cyberbullying and social capital among Jordanian university academic staff: a cross-sectional study," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    11. Maarten Goos & Melanie Arntz & Ulrich Zierahn & Terry Gregory & Stephanie Carretero Gomez & Ignacio Gonzalez Vazquez & Koen Jonkers, 2019. "The Impact of Technological Innovation on the Future of Work," JRC Working Papers on Labour, Education and Technology 2019-03, Joint Research Centre.
    12. Han Bu & Zhou Xun & Sha Cai, 2024. "Big data and inter-firm wage disparities: theory and evidence from China," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 1-36, August.
    13. Gerten Elisa & Beckmann Michael & Bellmann Lutz, 2019. "Controlling Working Crowds: The Impact of Digitalization on Worker Autonomy and Monitoring Across Hierarchical Levels," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 239(3), pages 441-481, June.
    14. Mukhopadhyay, Boidurjo Rick & Chatwin, Chris R., 2021. "The Significance of Herzberg and Taylor for the Gig Economy of China: Evaluating Gigger Incentives for Meituan and Ele.me," GLO Discussion Paper Series 849, Global Labor Organization (GLO).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology

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