New technologies and the transformation of work and skills: a study of computerisation and automation of Australian container terminals

• Date: 01 November 2018
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12118
• Published date: 01 November 2018

© 2018 Brian Towers (BRITOW) and

John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

New technology and the transformation of work 219

New Technology, Work and Employment 33:3

ISSN 1468-005X

New technologies and the transformation of

work and skills: a study of computerisation

and automation of Australian container

terminals

Victor Oyaro Gekara and Vi-Xuan Thanh Nguyen

The increasing adoption of smart computer and robotic technologies

at work has, in addition to displacing workers, significantly disrupt-

ed 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 contain-

er 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 dif-

ferent 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 digi-

talised work environment.

Keywords: new technologies, future of work, container termi-

nals, dockworkers, digital skills, computerisation and automa-

tion, transferable skills

Introduction

The impact of technology on work and employment has a long history and, over the

years, no sector or occupation has been wholly spared the associated impacts. The

most obvious and commonly highlighted impact is employment displacement but un-

derneath this is continuous transformation in the nature of work, the composition of

specific job roles and the associated workforce skills. Across many economies most

jobs have changed, whereas whole occupations have declined and disappeared as new

technologies emerge and shape industries and the production process. Whether or not

these changes are good or bad for society is highly contested but the popular argument

for new technologies commonly refers to the rise of more rewarding, decent and safe

work (Goos and Manning, 2007).

Victor Oyaro Gekara (victor.gekara@rmit.edu.au), Associate Professor and senior researcher in the

Skills Training and Industry Research Group, College of Business, RMIT University, Melbourne,

Australia. His research focuses on globalisation and the fourth industrial revolution, industrial trans-

formations and the implications for work, skills and employment.

Xuan-Vi Thanh Nguyen (nguyenthanhxuanvi@gmail.com), Lecturer, Quy Nhon University, Quy

Nhon City, Vietnam. Research interests include the impacts of globalization and the fourth industrial

revolution on employment, skills and competencies in Logistics and Supply chain management.