How digitalized is work in large German workplaces, and how is digitalized work perceived by workers? A new employer-employee survey instrument

Abstract

Digitalization of work has been made responsible for an increase in labor market inequalities, not only with respect to job loss, but also concerning an increased polarization of the remaining jobs due to processes of devaluation and upgrading of jobs and occupations. However, the discussion about possible consequences is quite polarized and not very sophisticated regarding different technologies and different implementations of the same technology. To understand changes due to digitalization processes, we suggest measuring the implementation of digitalized work both at the individual employee and at the workplace level, because decisions about how digital assistance systems are implemented are made by the latter. Existing representative surveys in Germany so far miss to provide such a comprehensive overview of digitalized work in different occupations and workplaces, as well as their implications for workers. The aim of this paper is to present a newly developed multidimensional measurement of digitalized work implemented in a representative linked employer-employee study design. The instrument aims at measuring the prevalence of various dimensions of digitalized work (the use of digital communication, digital information, digital regulation and control, working with robots) and how those are perceived by workers.