The impact of technology on employment: a research agenda for New Zealand and beyond

ABSTRACT

The rapid development and systemic integration of new technologies has reignited concerns about the implications of automation for the volume and quality of jobs. However, there is surprisingly little empirical work that explores the drivers, constraints and employment impacts of technology from a business perspective across different sectors. This research note briefly interrogates the relevant literature, with particular regard to the New Zealand context, and argues the case for multi-sector, longitudinal research.

KEYWORDS:

• Artificial intelligence
• fourth industrial revolution
• technology
• job losses
• job quality

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Prime examples are Weta Digital, which services the global film industry, and Robotics Plus, which is integrating autonomous vehicles, robotics and AI to pick and pack fruit in the horticulture sector (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503082&gal_cid=1503082&gallery_id=177519).