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Technology Adoption and Skills A Pilot Study of Kent SMEs

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  • Catherine Robinson
  • Christian Siegel
  • Sisi Liao

Abstract

Does the successful deployment of digital technologies require complementary investment in skills? We conducted a pilot survey to investigate. The survey elicited information on whether the firm was adopting one of the three digital technologies of interest (AI, robotics, big data), provided in-house training, and whether they experienced any problems recruiting workers. We find evidence that new technologies require complementary skill investments and that firms deem both new technologies and training of their workforce important for productivity. While there is some heterogeneity across the type of technologies (Robotics, AI, Big Data) introduced, firms facing difficulties attracting workers with the right skills are more likely to run own training programmes. This might suggest that there is a skills gap that may be holding back productivity and economic growth. Overall, the findings from our pilot survey demonstrate firms's awareness of the need for skills to complement new technologies to realise the productivity benefits in full.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine Robinson & Christian Siegel & Sisi Liao, 2021. "Technology Adoption and Skills A Pilot Study of Kent SMEs," Studies in Economics 2114, School of Economics, University of Kent.
    • Handle: RePEc:ukc:ukcedp:2114
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    capital-skill complementarity; business performance; technology adoption;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • M53 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Training
    • 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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