Fewer jobs, better jobs? An international comparative study of robots and ‘routine’ work in the public sector

Date

2021

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

ISSN

0019-8692

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley

Type

Article

Peer reviewed

Yes

Abstract

Routine manual work is often considered particularly vulnerable to digitalisation. Alongside potential employment effects, jobs are expected to change in terms of task and skill requirements. This article contributes to debates on the pace of digitalisation and the impact on low-skilled manual work through a study of transport robots in public hospitals in Norway and Scotland. Drawing on qualitative research, the findings are used to analyse the role of unions, as part of ‘country’ and ‘sector’ effects, shaping digitalisation and its outcomes.

Description

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version.

Keywords

robots, 'routine work', public sector, hospitals, UK, Norway, comparative

Citation

Lloyd, C., Payne, J. (2021) Fewer jobs, better jobs? An international comparative study of robots and ‘routine’ work in the public sector. Industrial Relations Journal,

Rights

Research Institute