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Factory Automation, Labor Demand, and Local Labor Market

Author

Listed:
  • Kawaguchi, Daiji

    (University of Tokyo)

  • Okazaki, Tetsuji

    (CEPR)

  • Zhu, Xuanli

    (Keio University)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of a technological change on employment and wages, focusing on the adoption of power looms in the silk-weaving industry. Exploiting plant-level panel data from 20th century Japan, we demonstrate that at the plant level, the power loom adaption increased the employment and wages of adult male workers, who likely conducted engineering tasks, and moderately increased wages of female adults, who were simultaneously displaced and reinstated to more non-routine tasks. The wage hike of adult workers induced the exit of less efficient plants and decreased female adult employment by 28 percent at the area level.

Suggested Citation

  • Kawaguchi, Daiji & Okazaki, Tetsuji & Zhu, Xuanli, 2024. "Factory Automation, Labor Demand, and Local Labor Market," IZA Discussion Papers 16885, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16885
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Atack, Jeremy & Bateman, Fred & Margo, Robert A., 2004. "Skill Intensity and Rising Wage Dispersion in Nineteenth-Century American Manufacturing," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 64(1), pages 172-192, March.
    2. Claudia Goldin & Lawrence F. Katz, 1998. "The Origins of Technology-Skill Complementarity," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 113(3), pages 693-732.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • N35 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Asia including Middle East

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