Henrik Schwabe

Papers

Total Citations

134

H-Index

About

Henrik Schwabe is a leading researcher in labor economics, with a sharp focus on the intersection of automation, skill dynamics, and worker well-being. His work investigates how technological change—particularly the adoption of industrial robots—reshapes labor markets, not only through direct job displacement but also through the psychological and behavioral responses of workers who fear future obsolescence. His most cited paper, “Automation, workers’ skills and job satisfaction” (2020, 134 citations), is a landmark study that reveals how automation-induced fear can erode job satisfaction even among workers who remain employed, highlighting a critical but often overlooked channel of technological impact. Schwabe’s research bridges macro-level labor market trends with micro-level worker experiences, offering nuanced insights into skill mismatches and the human costs of industrial transformation. His work has been influential in policy discussions on retraining and social safety nets, and he is recognized for bringing a behavioral dimension to the study of automation. For students and scholars, Schwabe’s research is essential reading for understanding the full spectrum of automation’s effects—from unemployment rolls to the quiet anxieties of the still-employed.