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Automation and occupational mobility: A task and knowledge-based approach

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  • Christenko, Aleksandr

Abstract

How does automation affect labour? Academic literature emphasises that automation leads to job displacement, polarisation of labour, slower wage growth for the middle skilled and more. However, existing literature seldom discusses ways individuals could adapt to automation. One such insufficiently explored adaptation strategy is occupational mobility. To fill this gap, this article proposes and validates a task and knowledge based occupational mobility network that takes into account automation. The result of the analysis shows that many compelling insights can be derived from such a network. First, many occupations cluster together with similar automation probabilities, though some exceptions exist. Second, individuals from occupations who share tasks with occupations that have a low probability of automation can more easily find a new job if they lose their current one. Finally, the analysis shows that occupational mobility could greatly enrich the discussion on automation and labour.

Suggested Citation

  • Christenko, Aleksandr, 2022. "Automation and occupational mobility: A task and knowledge-based approach," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:70:y:2022:i:c:s0160791x22001178
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.101976
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Automation; Labour force; Network analysis; Occupational mobility; Tasks;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion

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