Digitalisation

Eurofound research on anticipating and managing the impact of change will explore the impact of digitalisation on working life, as well as the links with the transition to a climate-neutral economy. This will cover employment levels, working conditions, social protection and employment relations. In the context of restructuring and digitalisation, analysing the role of industrial relations and social dialogue in implementing such change is also important, as is the impact on society and citizens. 

The research will provide evidence on structural changes, driven largely by these megatrends, but also by the COVID-19 crisis, that can inform policy in ensuring just transitions which promote employment, good working conditions, social protection and workers’ rights, while also improving labour productivity, competitiveness and prosperity.

Digitalisation in the workplace

Research looks at the effects of the deployment of digitalisation at company level on employment and working conditions, including social protection. Research on automation and digitisation will build on previous research on game-changing technologies, the nature of work in digitised workplaces, employee monitoring and privacy at the workplace, as well as on data from the European Company Survey (ECS) 2019. Eurofound will analyse the impact of digitalisation on working life, looking at the human and ethical implications of digitalisation at the workplace, also in the aftermath of COVID-19, as well as exploring the characteristics and effects of human–machine interaction related to advanced robotics. 

Eurofound explores these topics in a body of work structured around three vectors of change in digitalisation – automation, digitisation and platforms – that are affecting employment and working conditions and social dialogue. The main results of this research have been compiled in an online resource, which presents a set of policy pointers, research digests and definitions, as well as an accompanying report. As it can be challenging to keep abreast of the constant advance of technology, the online resource has been created to provide policymakers, employers, workers and their representatives with insights on how digitalisation is reshaping employment and work. It will be updated over time in line with the developments in the society, economy, labour market and policy. 

• Online resource: The digital age: Automation, digitisation and platforms
• Publication: The digital age: Implications of automation, digitisation and platforms for work and employment

As regards platform work, Eurofound’s platform economy repository will continue to monitor the evolution of this form of employment and business model. Based on this, specific research will, for example, explore initiatives tackling issues around employment and working conditions. 

Eurofound will build on previous research on working anytime and anywhere carried out in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO). This research considered the impact of telework and ICT-based mobile work on various elements of working conditions. It is planned to carry out an update of the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) data analysis in this area in 2021. 

Restructuring linked to megatrends in the economy

The European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) events database captures where restructuring is specifically linked to digitalisation and COVID-19. Similarly, the ERM support instruments and legal database are being expanded to covering restructuring-relevant information related to digitalisation, the transition to a climate-neutral economy and COVID-19. 

A specific strand of study will take a sectoral approach, for example in 2021/2022 exploring the work and employment impact of structural change in financial services. This is a sector that has been substantially affected by digitalisation and other megatrends, as well as by the COVID-19 crisis, altering the occupational structure in the sector. 

Future scenarios

Desirable future scenarios of potential developments driven by digitalisation or the transition to a climate-neutral economy will be explored. This will look at possible pathways and measures to achieve the desired outcomes and avoid disadvantageous ones.

Informing the policy debate

Research on the twin transition related to digitalisation and climate change could provide relevant information for policymakers seeking solutions to make markets work better for consumers, business, workers and society, for the sustainable development of cities and urban areas, and to support regions to improve their infrastructure and access to services.