Majority experiences changes in the working world due to digitalization positively

The changes in the world of work caused by digitization are seen by many as rather positive; work is experienced as more diverse and autonomous. But issues such as job insecurity or changes in job profile are clearly viewed less favorably. This is shown by the initial results of a new study by the IAP Institute for Applied Psychology at the ZHAW. The study, "People in the World of Work 4.0," places people at the center of the digital transformation and asks how employees experience and assess the digital transformation. To this end, ZHAW researchers surveyed over 600 people in Switzerland. Of these, one-third were from SMEs and two-thirds from large companies. Two-thirds of the respondents have management responsibilities and 70 percent have at least a degree from a university of applied sciences. 45 percent of respondents are male and 55 percent are female. The average age is 45.

Majority does not see job endangered by digitization

The ZHAW study shows that there is no uniform understanding of digitalization, digital transformation or Working 4.0. "Some of the respondents understand it to mean automation and acceleration, others mobile-flexible forms of work or social media," says ZHAW researcher Sarah Genner, who conducted the study together with a team. Still others think of Industry 4.0, Big Data, robotics or artificial intelligence. "Although, according to many studies, just under half of the jobs will be eliminated by digital transformation, more than three quarters think that their job will not be replaced by machines in the future." This is possibly also due to the above-average level of education of the respondents. After all, job losses due to digitization tend to affect the less well-educated.

Mobile-flexible working mostly possible

The changes taking place in the world of work as a result of digitization also include developments that are perceived positively by the majority, such as work in smart workplaces or in the home office. In the ZHAW study, 83 percent of respondents said that mobile-flexible working is possible in their organization. Three-quarters perceive flexible working in terms of time and place as a positive change. Just under half can use mobile workstations within the organization for this purpose. Four-fifths of respondents still have their own workstation. However, 57 percent believe that this will no longer be the case in the next five years. Most are autonomous in terms of working hours and workload. Only 38 percent of respondents have guidelines as to when they have to work. 85 percent would like to have less control in this regard.

Constant accessibility burdens

Work and private life are becoming increasingly intermingled due to constant digital accessibility. However, two-thirds of those surveyed consider the separation of work and leisure time important. 80 percent almost always or frequently succeed in doing so. However, 46 percent are also digitally accessible outside of working hours. A quarter get nervous when they are not online. Constant accessibility also has an impact on health. For just under half of the people surveyed, it worsens their health or causes them to have sleep problems. 41 percent find it relaxing when they are offline.

Digital communication does not lead to better decisions

According to almost half of the respondents, the management of employees has changed: "There is more management at a distance and through digital channels," explains Sarah Genner. "Self-leadership is becoming increasingly important. In addition, there is even more leadership via identification and target agreements." Many organizations value a climate conducive to learning. Seventy-two percent of respondents say their supervisors make sure they can develop their digital skills. In teams, communication most frequently takes place via e-mail, in meetings or by means of informal agreements. Newer digital channels such as instant messaging programs, Skype or Slack, but also the telephone are used comparatively little. Thanks to digital media, many employees feel better informed. However, according to the feedback from those surveyed, decisions are neither improved nor implemented more efficiently in day-to-day work. Digitalization is also making inroads into continuing education. 55 percent would like to receive further training in a blended learning format in the future, in which face-to-face courses and digital forms of learning are mixed. Social media channels have already become established in personnel recruitment.

More information: www.zhaw.ch/iap/studie