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AI Worker Management technologies in traditional industries

Author

Listed:
  • Claudia Collodoro

    (Dipartimento di Politica Economica, DISCE, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy)

  • Lucrezia Fanti

    (Dipartimento di Politica Economica, DISCE, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy - Instituto di Economia, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy)

  • Jacopo Staccioli

    (Dipartimento di Politica Economica, DISCE, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy - Instituto di Economia, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy)

  • Maria Enrica Virgillito

    (Dipartimento di Politica Economica, DISCE, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy - Instituto di Economia, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

This work provides a comprehensive large-scale analysis of artificial intelligence-based worker management (AIWM) systems from an industry-wide exposure perspective focusing on traditional industries. We begin by examining the knowledge production underlying these workforce management tools and leverage technology patent-classification to identify their dynamics and specific features. For this purpose, we use patent data retrieved from Orbis Intellectual Property covering the years 1975 to 2022, considering patents filed with both the EPO and the USPTO. Furthermore, to identify patents related to AIWM heuristics, we retrieve their full text from Google Patents and conduct a textual analysis using a dependency parsing algorithm. Finally, using the dictionary of human tasks provided by O*NET, we construct a measure of exposure to AIWM systems for individual human tasks and occupations. Linking the technological and labour market domains, we find that the professions most exposed to AIWM systems are those at the top of organisational hierarchies.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudia Collodoro & Lucrezia Fanti & Jacopo Staccioli & Maria Enrica Virgillito, 2026. "AI Worker Management technologies in traditional industries," DISCE - Working Papers del Dipartimento di Politica Economica dipe0056, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimenti e Istituti di Scienze Economiche (DISCE).
    • Handle: RePEc:ctc:serie5:dipe0056
    as

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    File URL: http://dipartimenti.unicatt.it/politica-economica-DIPE0056.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    4. Krzywdzinski, Martin & Evers, Maren & Gerber, Christine, 2024. "Control and Flexibility: The Use of Wearable Devices in Capital- and Labor-Intensive Work Processes," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 77(4), pages 506-534.
    5. Krzywdzinski, Martin & Schneiß, Daniel & Sperling, Andrea, 2025. "Between control and participation: The politics of algorithmic management," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 40(1), pages 60-80.
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    JEL classification:

    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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