Which migrant jobs are linked with the adoption of novel technologies, robotisation, and digitalisation?

• Published in: Technology in society Vol. 78; p. 102647
• Main Authors: Ghodsi, Mahdi, Stehrer, Robert, Barišić, Antea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2024
• Subjects: Digitalisation; Migrant workers; Novel innovation; Robot adoption; Migrant workers; Novel innovation; F22; D24; Robot adoption; Digitalisation; O33
• ISSN: 0160-791X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102647

This paper presents pioneering evidence of the effects of various novel technologies on migrant employment. By analysing data from 18 EU member states from 2005 to 2019, it sheds light on how innovations proxied by patents granted, robot adoption, three categories of digital assets, and total factor productivity, affect migrant employment. The key findings reveal that innovation leads to an increase in both the number and proportion of migrant workers relative to the overall workforce. While robots do displace some workers, their impact on native workers is stronger compared to migrant workers. Total factor productivity positively influences migrant workers, while the effects of digital assets are heterogeneous. Importantly, results also point towards significant variations concerning the impacts of these technologies on migrant workers across different occupations and educational levels.
•Innovations increase the number and proportion of migrant workers relative to the workforce.•While robots do replace jobs, their effect on native workers is stronger than on migrant workers.•Total factor productivity positively influences migrant workers.•Digital assets have heterogenous effects on migrant workers.•Impacts of these technologies vary significantly across occupation types and educational levels.