Adoption of Emerging Digital General-purpose Technologies: Determinants and Effects

This seminar discusses factors associated with the adoption of cloud computing and artificial intelligence/machine learning, two emerging digital general-purpose technologies (GPT), as well as firms’ post-adoption outcomes, in Australia, a small technology adopting country. Measuring adoption using references in listed company reports, we find that firms that have directors with relevant technological backgrounds, are more likely to profitably adopt GPT. Worker skills also appear important, with firms that adopt GPT, particularly those that do so profitably, being more likely to advertise for skilled staff around adoption. These findings highlight the importance of worker and management skills in effectively adopting GPT.

Jonathan Hambur is a Senior Research Manager in the Economic Research Department at the RBA, leading the Microdata analysis research stream, having previously held a role at the Australian Treasury leading its microdata analysis team. He is part of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia’s Member Advisory Council on Dynamism, and is a research associate in the ‘Micro-Heterogeneity and Macroeconomic Performance’ program at the Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis at the Australian National University. Jonathan holds an MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics from the London School of Economics. His research focuses on using microdata to better understand macroeconomic questions, particularly around productivity and labour markets.