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Like moths to a flame : an individual level approach to technological change in 20th century Sweden

Jayes, Jonathan LU (2025) In Lund Studies in Economic History
Abstract
This thesis analyzes the effects of technological change using the case of
electrification in 20th-century Sweden. It begins with a systematic literature
review that identifies gaps in the quantitative research on historical job
displacement before 1980. In Sweden, electrification enhanced labor and
reduced income inequality. Analysis of 1930 census data shows that early
electricity access raised incomes, particularly for lower-income and less-
educated individuals.

The research reveals a labor market forked into two groups. High-skilled
engineers, identified using AI analysis of historical biographies, were a mobile
elite with international experience who implemented the technology.... (More)
This thesis analyzes the effects of technological change using the case of
electrification in 20th-century Sweden. It begins with a systematic literature
review that identifies gaps in the quantitative research on historical job
displacement before 1980. In Sweden, electrification enhanced labor and
reduced income inequality. Analysis of 1930 census data shows that early
electricity access raised incomes, particularly for lower-income and less-
educated individuals.

The research reveals a labor market forked into two groups. High-skilled
engineers, identified using AI analysis of historical biographies, were a mobile
elite with international experience who implemented the technology. In
contrast, the main economic benefits went to the local, less-skilled workforce.
The firm-level analysis investigated the impact of corporate leadership by
treating U.S. management practices as a form of technology. Appointing the
first U.S.-experienced engineer to a board had different effects depending on
the era: before 1945, it led to hiring more workers, while after 1945, it led
to workforce reductions and a smaller portion of company earnings going to
workers. Directors with business backgrounds had no significant effect on
labor in either period.

The thesis concludes that the societal impact of technology is not predetermined
but is shaped by the technology itself and its institutional context (meaning the
laws, union strength, and political climate of the time). (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
supervisor
opponent
  • Associate Professor Brey, Björn, Norwegian School of Economics
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
technological change, electrification, labor displacement, labor markets, human capital, corporate governance, economic history, Sweden
in
Lund Studies in Economic History
issue
119
pages
298 pages
defense location
EC2:101
defense date
2025-10-17 14:15:00
ISSN
1400-4860
ISBN
978-91-989642-5-7
978-91-989642-4-0
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e617f781-1e2d-4c83-a508-fe6b9a042455
date added to LUP
2025-09-25 15:11:48
date last changed
2025-09-26 13:24:31
@phdthesis{e617f781-1e2d-4c83-a508-fe6b9a042455,
  abstract     = {{This thesis analyzes the effects of technological change using the case of<br/>electrification in 20th-century Sweden. It begins with a systematic literature<br/>review that identifies gaps in the quantitative research on historical job<br/>displacement before 1980. In Sweden, electrification enhanced labor and<br/>reduced income inequality. Analysis of 1930 census data shows that early<br/>electricity access raised incomes, particularly for lower-income and less-<br/>educated individuals.<br/><br/>The research reveals a labor market forked into two groups. High-skilled<br/>engineers, identified using AI analysis of historical biographies, were a mobile<br/>elite with international experience who implemented the technology. In<br/>contrast, the main economic benefits went to the local, less-skilled workforce.<br/>The firm-level analysis investigated the impact of corporate leadership by<br/>treating U.S. management practices as a form of technology. Appointing the<br/>first U.S.-experienced engineer to a board had different effects depending on<br/>the era: before 1945, it led to hiring more workers, while after 1945, it led<br/>to workforce reductions and a smaller portion of company earnings going to<br/>workers. Directors with business backgrounds had no significant effect on<br/>labor in either period.<br/><br/>The thesis concludes that the societal impact of technology is not predetermined<br/>but is shaped by the technology itself and its institutional context (meaning the<br/>laws, union strength, and political climate of the time).}},
  author       = {{Jayes, Jonathan}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-989642-5-7}},
  issn         = {{1400-4860}},
  keywords     = {{technological change; electrification; labor displacement; labor markets; human capital; corporate governance; economic history; Sweden}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{09}},
  number       = {{119}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  series       = {{Lund Studies in Economic History}},
  title        = {{Like moths to a flame : an individual level approach to technological change in 20th century Sweden}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/228449747/Jonathan_Jayes_-_WEBB.pdf}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}