Australian Journal of Labour Economics Volume 28 Number 1 is out now

Welcome to the latest issue of the Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE) Volume 28 No. 1.

As always, this issue contains articles that cover a range of labour market issues using a variety of approaches to research. The papers also have implications for policy and demonstrate the importance of research in formulating policy.

The first paper examines a subject which is of great interest currently. Claire Mason, Haohui Chen and David Evans of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organisation (CSIRO) consider firms’ Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption and firm demand for workers and skills. This study attempts to clarify apparently conflicting findings from the literature, with the authors concluding that workers who have the skills to use and complement AI remain sought after in an AI-augmented workforce.

The second paper by Aharon Katz, of York University, UK, investigates the relationship between mental illness and early retirement decisions in Australia. It is well-established that health and labour supply are interconnected but research has predominantly focused on the impact of physical rather than mental health. This study seeks to address this deficiency by examining the effect of mental health on early retirement decisions using data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey using a variety of statistical techniques to help validate and strengthen causal findings.

The final paper, by Karen Mumford, Edith Aguirre, Anna Einarsdóttir , Bridget Lockyer, Melisa Sayli, and Benjamin A. Smith, of various UK universities and health organisations, explores the determinants, and differences, in reported job satisfaction for women, ethnic minority and LGBT+ employees among public sector health employees in the English National Health Service (NHS). A broad range of possible determinants are considered including demographic variables, job characteristics, and supportive workplace measures.

The full Issue and the individual papers can be downloaded on the AJLE website.