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New technologies and the transformation of work and skills: a study of computerisation and automation of Australian container terminals
Author(s) -
Gekara Victor Oyaro,
Thanh Nguyen ViXuan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
new technology, work and employment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.889
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1468-005X
pISSN - 0268-1072
DOI - 10.1111/ntwe.12118
Subject(s) - container (type theory) , workforce , work (physics) , automation , port (circuit theory) , business , emerging technologies , terminal (telecommunication) , computer science , engineering , telecommunications , mechanical engineering , political science , artificial intelligence , law
The increasing adoption of smart computer and robotic technologies at work has, in addition to displacing workers, significantly disrupted the traditional organisation of work and the workforce skills required. Based on a qualitative social science study, this paper discusses the ways in which these changes have affected container terminals. Specifically, we examine the transformation in the nature and content of work and the types of skills required by the workforce for the enduring and emerging jobs. We conclude that a completely different port terminal worker has emerged with a different job role and skills profile. Unlike the traditional ‘wharfie’ the emerging terminal worker is well educated and highly skilled. Furthermore, as physical shop floor operations are computerised and automated, greater importance is placed on soft, generic and transferable skills, with increasing emphasis on computer skills to facilitate effective work within a highly mechanised and digitalised work environment.