The Jobs of Tomorrow: Technology, Productivity, and Prosperity in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute or be considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved.

Africa's Pulse, No. 19, April 2019: An Analysis of Issues Shaping Africa’s Economic Future

“…Governments need to implement policies that support the adoption, diffusion, and use of digital technology, including policies that support high-quality and competitively priced internet rollouts. For instance, tariff and tax cuts on digital technology business tools could be considered among the measures used to increase usage (Dutz, Almeida, and Packard 2018). Figure 3.14 shows the need to continue implementing policy measures that enhance the "analog" complements (say, business climate, skills, and institutions) to accelerate the rate of adoption of digital technologies.…”

“…important for inclusion. Evidence shows that stringent labor regulation restricted the flexibility of firms in hiring low-skilled workers to perform routine and manual tasks (Dutz, Almeida, and Packard 2018). Business-relevant education and training programs should enhance workers' reallocation across tasks, as technological opportunities expand or change, and workers' mobility across firms and industries.…”

The role of manufacturing versus services in economic development

“…Moreover, the assumption that the adoption of new technologies has a net negative effect on employment is not borne out by evidence. A study by Dutz et al (2018) on the adoption of new technologies by countries in Latin America actually shows the opposite happening: in Argentina, Chile and Columbia, manufacturing firms that invest in ICT technology have experienced a net increase in employment. Second, even if we assume the 'doomsday' scenario of 3D printers and robots stealing most of our jobs, we do not know whether the manufacturing sector will experience larger job losses than the services sector or the agricultural sector.…”

In tech we trust? some general remarks on law in the technological era from a third world perspective

“…The World Bank has recently released a book entitled "The Jobs of Tomorrow: Technology, Productivity, and Prosperity in Latin America and the Caribbean". More specifically, through chapter 2-named "The Need for Productivity-Enhancing Technology Adoption in Latin America and the Caribbean" (our italics)-one can clearly see the spirit of technological ideology in a sense that the region of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is portrayed as belated for not having the same level of digital technologies as its peers from the "developed" world (DUTZ; ALMEIDA; PACKARD, 2018).…”