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Robots and unions: The moderating effect of organized labour on technological unemployment

Author

Listed:
  • Henri Haapanala
  • Ive Marx

    (Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Zachary Parolin

    (Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University, Italy; Center on Poverty and Social Policy, Columbia University, USA)

Abstract

This study analyses the moderating effect of union density on industrial employment and unemployment in advanced economies facing exposure to industrial robots. Applying random effects within-between regression models to a pseudo-panel of observations from 27 European countries and the United States over 1998–2019, the study finds that higher union density is associated with a greater decline in industry-sector employment for younger workers and workers with lower secondary education when robot exposure increases. It is also found that the unemployment rate declines more strongly in countries with low union density when robot exposure increases. These findings suggest that exposure to industrial robots promotes labour market dualization in strongly unionized countries, whereas workers with tertiary education and labour market tenure are the main beneficiaries from technological change.

Suggested Citation

  • Henri Haapanala & Ive Marx & Zachary Parolin, 2023. "Robots and unions: The moderating effect of organized labour on technological unemployment," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 44(3), pages 827-852, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:44:y:2023:i:3:p:827-852
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X221094078
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Giorgio Cutuli & Alessio Tomelleri, 2023. "Returns to digital skills use, temporary employment, and trade unions in European labour markets," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 29(4), pages 393-413, December.

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