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Which migrant jobs are linked with the adoption of novel technologies, robotisation, and digitalisation?

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  • Ghodsi, Mahdi
  • Stehrer, Robert
  • Barišić, Antea

Abstract

This paper presents pioneering evidence of the effects of various novel technologies on migrant employment. By analysing data from 18 EU member states from 2005 to 2019, it sheds light on how innovations proxied by patents granted, robot adoption, three categories of digital assets, and total factor productivity, affect migrant employment. The key findings reveal that innovation leads to an increase in both the number and proportion of migrant workers relative to the overall workforce. While robots do displace some workers, their impact on native workers is stronger compared to migrant workers. Total factor productivity positively influences migrant workers, while the effects of digital assets are heterogeneous. Importantly, results also point towards significant variations concerning the impacts of these technologies on migrant workers across different occupations and educational levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Ghodsi, Mahdi & Stehrer, Robert & Barišić, Antea, 2024. "Which migrant jobs are linked with the adoption of novel technologies, robotisation, and digitalisation?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:78:y:2024:i:c:s0160791x24001957
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102647
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Robot adoption; Digitalisation; Novel innovation; Migrant workers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity

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