Full Citation

Title: How Computer Automation Affects Occupations: Technology, Jobs, and Skills

Citation Type: Working Paper

Publication Year: 2016

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Abstract: This paper investigates basic relationships between computer automation and occupations. Building a general model of occupations and tasks, I look at detailed occupations since 1980 to explore whether computers are related to job losses or other sources of wage inequality. Occupations that use computers grow faster, not slower. This is true even for highly routine and mid-wage occupations. Estimates reject computer automation as a source of significant overall job losses. But computerized occupations substitute for other occupations, shifting employment and requiring new skills. Because new skills are costly to learn, computer use is associated with substantially greater withinoccupation wage inequality.

Url: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2690435

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Authors: Bessen, James, E

Series Title: Law & Economics Working Paper Series

Publication Number: 15-49

Institution: Boston University School

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Publisher Location: Boston, MA

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Methodology and Data Collection, Other

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