Published: 2020-09-22

Work automation and changes in the labour market. How and why we should measure the cognitive work and its automation level?

Andrzej Lemański Logo ORCID

Abstract

The main aim of the article is to establish if and how we can research the impact of automation of work on the labour market. In this paper, I discuss measurement issues of automation of work with theoretical and statistical parts including elements of methodology. The text begins by discussing the dependences between physical and cognitive work and pays attention to the theoretical and historical sources of this division. Then, I point out hybrid forms of cognitive work as a result of the progressing digitalization, which leads me to the indication of big data and algorithms as one of the most important elements of modern work automation. The foregoing prompts the following question: If we take into account the prospective hybridization of machines and humans, should we still measure the cognitive work, especially in its quality dimensions? Finally, I provide examples of some possible methods of measurement of the automation of cognitive work, especially by pointing out selected changes which automation introduces into the labour market.

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Citation rules

Lemański, A. (2020). Work automation and changes in the labour market. How and why we should measure the cognitive work and its automation level?. Górnośląskie Studia Socjologiczne. Seria Nowa, 11, 13–37. https://doi.org/10.31261/GSS_SN.2020.11.02

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Vol. 11 (2020)
Published: 2020-09-18


eISSN: 2353-9658

Publisher
Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego | University of Silesia Press

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