COVID-19-Induced Automation: An Exploratory Study of Critical Occupations
Economic Development Quarterly
; 2023.
Article
in English
| Scopus | ID: covidwho-2282104
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic may have spurred automation, especially in critical occupations. This article explores the potential of each detailed Standard Occupational Classification System (SOC) occupation being automated due to COVID-19. The authors explore two key elements of each occupation its exposure to diseases such as COVID-19 and the probability of that occupation being automated. The results reveal that food preparation, service, and cleaning-related occupations have a higher chance of pandemic-induced automation. Using monthly U.S. job postings from 2016 to 2021, the estimates show that the potential pandemic-induced automation is associated with a statistically significant decrease in job postings. A higher Automation Index is associated with fewer job postings since the pandemic. Such trends remain robust after accounting for posting duration and excluding health-related occupations. These findings contribute to the early assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the potential integration of automation in the labor force and offer insights into building a resilient and labor-centric post-pandemic labor market. © The Author(s) 2023.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
Scopus
Language:
English
Journal:
Economic Development Quarterly
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
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