The changing economy

Will new technologies and ways of organising work fundamentally change New Zealand’s economy and labour market?

Some commentators are saying that the impact of new technologies will be similar to that of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th Century.

While that’s up for debate, it is clear that production processes and organisational structures are changing in profound ways.

But concerns that technology will lead to a “jobless society” don’t appear to be well founded. It seems likely that there will be fewer lower-skilled jobs, but the overall effect of new technologies is expected to be higher, rather than lower, employment.

And while globalisation is changing the characteristics of some jobs and the way some businesses operate, it’s likely that this, too, will increase the demand for a more skilled workforce.

You can read more about the changing economy in our stocktake or by looking at the articles and links elsewhere on this page.

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BERL research into self-employment and small business succession

This research, undertaken by Business and Economic Research Ltd. and funded by the Future of Work research fund, investigates small business succession - the process whereby a viable business is passed on from the retiring owner to a new owner.

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Technology and Inequality

It has been widely assumed that the along with the information age came rising wage inequality - the rich getting richer and poor getting poorer.

We've read some interesting articles arguing, some convincingly, that this is true. However, until recently, no one set about to systematically test the case. The verdict: It's probably not true.

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What's hot in the job market?

Which jobs are increasingly in demand? And which are increasingly not? If you’re choosing or changing your career, our research on hot jobs may help.

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How well is the labour market performing?

Has the fall in unemployment since the early 1990s reflected a better performing labour market? Or is it just a welcome by-product of a growing economy?

It's probably been a bit of both.