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

This thesis analyzes the effects of technological change using the case ofelectrification in 20th-century Sweden. It begins with a systematic literaturereview that identifies gaps in the quantitative research on historical jobdisplacement before 1980. In Sweden, electrification enhanced labor andreduced income inequality. Analysis of 1930 census data shows that earlyelectricity access raised incomes, particularly for lower-income and less-educated individuals.The research reveals a labor market forked into two groups. High-skilledengineers, identified using AI analysis of historical biographies, were a mobileelite with international experience who implemented the technology. Incontrast, the main economic benefits went to the local, less-skilled workforce.The firm-level analysis investigated the impact of corporate leadership bytreating U.S. management practices as a form of technology. Appointing thefirst U.S.-experienced engineer to a board had different effects depending onthe era: before 1945, it led to hiring more workers, while after 1945, it ledto workforce reductions and a smaller portion of company earnings going toworkers. Directors with business backgrounds had no significant effect onlabor in either period.The thesis concludes that the societal impact of technology is not predeterminedbut is shaped by the technology itself and its institutional context (meaning thelaws, union strength, and political climate of the time).