INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND EMPLOYMENT: SOME NOTES ON THE USE OF MODELLING TECHNIQUES AS A RESEARCH TOOL

This paper presents a brief review of the use of macroeconomic models in research on the employment implications of information technology. It makes particular reference to the Austrian study, Microelectronics: Applications, Diffusion and Effects in Austria. The major conclusion is that whilst such models have a value, this is dependent on assumptions made about how technology is used rather than simply upon levels of usage or rates of diffusion. It concludes with a consideration of the applicability of such techniques in the future case of advanced and integrated systems in manufacturing and the service sector.