Digital transformation, COVID-19, and the future of work

Schilirò, Daniele (2021): Digital transformation, COVID-19, and the future of work. Published in: International Journal of Business Management and Economic Research(IJBMER) , Vol. 12, No. 3 (June 2021): pp. 1945-1952.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an acceleration of digital transformation, forcing countries and organizations around the world to make big changes in people’s lives. This paper analyses the diffusion of the digital economy and highlights the capabilities and readiness of economies to undertake the process of digital transformation. It also points out that the digital transformation is profoundly changing the global economy and society, not necessarily benefiting everyone. The challenge is to avoid the risk that the new digital system creates a more “restricted” economic and social environment, with the digital divide affecting many people across the world. The study also explores the implications of both digitization and digital technologies on the labor market and future jobs. COVID-19 and digital transformation have overturned assumptions about how individuals work by demanding new tasks and skills from employees. The paper emphasizes that any process of automation involves substituting machines for labor and leads to the displacement of workers, although there are counterbalancing forces. At the same time, digital transformation and its processes offer opportunities to create new tasks and new professional figures. However, the key to success for a fair and inclusive digital transformation lies in the joint efforts of state, business, and people.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: digital transformation; digital technologies; COVID-19; digital divide; smart working; job displacement; future jobs
• Subjects: J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Demand and Supply of Labor; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Demand and Supply of Labor > J24 - Human Capital ; Skills ; Occupational Choice ; Labor Productivity; M - Business Administration and Business Economics ; Marketing ; Accounting ; Personnel Economics > M5 - Personnel Economics > M53 - Training; M - Business Administration and Business Economics ; Marketing ; Accounting ; Personnel Economics > M5 - Personnel Economics > M54 - Labor Management; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Innovation ; Research and Development ; Technological Change ; Intellectual Property Rights > O33 - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences ; Diffusion Processes

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