Maria Luisa Divella

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Maria Luisa Divella is a prominent researcher in the sociology of work and technological change, with a sharp focus on the intersection of automation, robotics, and service-sector labor. Her work critically unpacks the often-overlooked technological complexity behind automation, challenging simplistic narratives about its impact on employment and skills. In her highly cited 2022 study, "Case studies of automation in services," Divella conducted a rigorous qualitative analysis based on over 50 in-depth interviews with HR managers, IT technicians, workers, and trade union delegates. This research provides a rare, multi-stakeholder perspective, revealing how automation reshapes work organization, skill demands, and worker agency in real-world service settings. While her citation count is still growing—reflecting the emerging nature of this critical field—her contribution is already recognized as foundational for understanding the nuanced social and technical dynamics of service automation. Divella’s work is essential reading for scholars and students interested in the future of work, digital labor, and the human dimensions of Industry 4.0.