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A Comprehensive Taxonomy of Tasks for Assessing the Impact of New Technologies on Work

Author

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  • Enrique Fernández-Macías

    (European Commission – Joint Research Centre)

  • Martina Bisello

    (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions)

Abstract

In recent years, the increasing concern about the labour market implications of technological change has led economists to look in more detail at the structure of work content and job tasks. Incorporating insights from other traditions of task analysis, in particular from the labour process approach, as well as from recent research on skills, work organisation and occupational change, in this paper we propose a comprehensive and detailed taxonomy of tasks. Going beyond existing broad classifications, our taxonomy aims at connecting the substantive content of work with its organisational context by answering two key questions: what do people do at work and how do they do their work? For illustrative purposes, we show how our approach allows a better understanding of the impact of new technologies on work, by accounting for relevant ongoing transformations such as the diffusion of artificial intelligence and the unfolding of digital labour platforms.

Suggested Citation

  • Enrique Fernández-Macías & Martina Bisello, 2022. "A Comprehensive Taxonomy of Tasks for Assessing the Impact of New Technologies on Work," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 159(2), pages 821-841, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:159:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-021-02768-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-021-02768-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Marialuisa Divella & Alessia Lo Turco & Alessandro Sterlacchini, 2023. "Local labour tasks and patenting in US commuting zones," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 23(5), pages 1097-1119.
    2. Nikolova, Milena & Lepinteur, Anthony & Cnossen, Femke, 2023. "Just Another Cog in the Machine? A Worker-Level View of Robotization and Tasks," IZA Discussion Papers 16610, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. 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.
    4. CIRILLO Valeria & RINALDINI Matteo & VIRGILLITO Maria Enrica & DIVELLA Marialuisa & MANICARDI Caterina & MASSIMO Francesco Sabato & CETRULO Armanda & COSTANTINI Eleonora & MORO Angelo & STACCIOLI Jaco, 2022. "Case studies of automation in services," JRC Research Reports JRC129691, Joint Research Centre.
    5. Saverio Minardi & Carla Hornberg & Paolo Barbieri & Heike Solga, 2023. "The link between computer use and job satisfaction: The mediating role of job tasks and task discretion," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 61(4), pages 796-831, December.

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