Mechanization, Task Assignment, and Inequality

Kazuhiro Yuki

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: Mechanization (or automation) - the replacement by machines of humans (and animals) engaged in production tasks- has proceeded continuously since the Industrial Revolution and seems to have accelerated recently due to the rapid advancement of information technology. This paper examines interactions among long-run trends of mechanization, shifts of tasks humans perform, and earnings levels and inequality. Specifically, the paper develops a Ricardian model of task assignment and analyzes how improvements of productivities of machines and an increase in the relative supply of skilled workers affect task assignment (which factor performs which task), earnings levels and inequality, and aggregate output. The model succeeds in capturing the great majority of the long-run trends. The paper also explores possible future trends of the variables when information technology continues to grow rapidly.

Keywords: mechanization; automation; task assignment; earnings inequality; information technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J24 J31 N30 O14 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-07
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Mechanization, Task Assignment, and Inequality (2021)
Working Paper: Mechanization, task assignment, and inequality (2012)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pra:mprapa:75752

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