Digital age
20 January 2021
The capacity of humankind to store, transmit and manipulate information has expanded hugely in recent years as a result of innovations in computing and telecommunication technologies.Read more
The capacity of humankind to store, transmit and manipulate information has expanded hugely in recent years as a result of innovations in computing and telecommunication technologies. Such information and communication technologies (ICTs) are having significant effects in almost all areas of the economy, leading to a general acceleration in the pace of technical change. At the same time, work, its content, its organisation and design, its regulation and protection, are all undergoing great change in this digital age. These changes also often bring a blurring of boundaries between different dimensions of work and between work, employment and non-work activity.
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EU context
TopPolicymakers need to gain knowledge that will help to address questions about effective regulation, how to ensure social protection in its broadest sense and balancing the demands of companies, societies and individuals in exploiting the great potential of digitalisation.
Read morePolicymakers need to gain knowledge that will help to address questions about effective regulation, how to ensure social protection in its broadest sense and balancing the demands of companies, societies and individuals in exploiting the great potential of digitalisation.
The European Commission adopted its Digital Single Market strategy for Europe in 2015, highlighting it as one of its political priorities. The strategy can create digital opportunities for citizens and businesses and aims to strengthen the EU’s position as a world leader in the digital economy. It aims to increase access to information, lead to jobs for those with the right digital skills and transform public services. As the collaborative economy is expanding across the EU, the Commission is looking to encourage the development of new and innovative services, while ensuring adequate protection measures. The Commission’s 2016 Communication on the European agenda for the collaborative economy clarifies the rules and policy recommendations in this area for citizens, businesses and Member States.
- European Commission: Digital Single Market
- European Commission: Collaborative economy
- European Commission: A European agenda for the collaborative economy
Eurofound’s work on the digital age links in with the Commission’s 2019–2024 priority on a Europe fit for the digital age.
- About Eurofound: EU priorities: Working for a strong social Europe
- European Commission: A Europe fit for the digital age
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Research
TopEurofound is looking at the broader implications for working conditions, labour regulation and beyond of the increasing scale and scope of digital technologies for theRead more
Eurofound is looking at the broader implications for working conditions, labour regulation and beyond of the increasing scale and scope of digital technologies for the labour market.
The employment impact of game-changing technologies in services is being explored. Eurofound also examines the implications of the platform economy, notably platform work, for the labour market. Furthermore, research on the working and employment conditions of ICT-based mobile workers is being continued.
The nature of work and employment in the digital age will be investigated, with a focus on:
- the opportunities and policy challenges associated with specific forms of employment which are new or expanding and altered ways of work organisation as a result of technological change
- the role of the social partners.
Working anytime and anywhere
A joint report with the International Labour Organization (ILO) on working anytime and anywhere has considered the impact of telework and ICT-mobile work on selected elements of working conditions.
Eurofound’s Foundation Seminar Series (FSS) is an opportunity for governments, trade unions and employers to discuss the development of EU social, employment and work-related policies. In 2016, the FSS focused on the impact of digitalisation on work and building up national agendas for better implementation of digital changes.
Read lessKey outputs over the years
Publications & data
TopThe sections below provide access to a range of publications, data and ongoing work on this topic.
- Publications (82)
- Data
- Ongoing work (3)
Publications
Eurofound publications come in a variety of formats, including reports, policy briefs, blogs, articles and presentations.
Regulations to address work–life balance in digital flexible working arrangements
Publication 2 July 2020Data
A selection of related data on this topic are linked below.
Ongoing work
Research continues in this topic on a variety of themes, which are outlined below with links to forthcoming titles.
Education, healthcare and housing: How access changed for children and families in 2020
Publication January 2021
Other ongoing work
- The employment impact of automation
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