Technological change and its impact on skilled jobs: The case of Mexico1

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Technological change has always had a strong influence on the economy. In the case of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), their incessant penetration has transformed traditional working places, such as the office. Although many white collar activities have survived given the enduring reliance on qualified staff with abundant skills and experience, they now seem at risk due the progressive automation of clerical work. These trends are not exclusive of industrialized nations, though. Then, we pose the following question: to what extent is technological change affecting skilled jobs in developing nations too, and more specifically in Mexico? In attempting to answer this question, we examine the impact of ICTs on six skilled jobs in Mexico City: data entry keyers, photographers, computer systems analysts, messengers, stenographers and lathe operators. We found that traditional occupations have indeed disappeared, whereas specialized manufacturing jobs, such as lathe operators, seem to be still required by the market, although in a lesser extent. We conclude that jobs are no longer defined by traditional skills but by multitasks abilities, especially in ICTs.1

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPICMET 2014 - Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology, Proceedings
Subtitle of host publicationInfrastructure and Service Integration
EditorsDundar F. Kocaoglu, Timothy R. Anderson, Tugrul U. Daim, Dilek Cetindamar Kozanoglu, Kiyoshi Niwa, Gary Perman
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages2420-2432
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781890843304
StatePublished - 10 Oct 2014
Event2014 Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology, PICMET 2014 - Kanazawa, Japan
Duration: 27 Jul 201431 Jul 2014

Publication series

NamePICMET 2014 - Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology, Proceedings: Infrastructure and Service Integration

Conference

Conference2014 Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology, PICMET 2014
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityKanazawa
Period27/07/1431/07/14

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