Comparative report on the links between job quality, digitalisation, technology, and globalisation in Europe: (Deliverable 5.5)

This report analyses the quality of employment in Europe in the current context of digital transformation and globalisation using data from the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) from 2005-2021. Job quality related to indicators for self-perceived fair pay, training, organisational support and being consulted at work has gone up. However, indicators for fair treatment
at work and satisfaction with working time have deteriorated in the same period. Analysing the 2021 wave of the EWCS, we find a differentiated link between digitalisation, globalisation and job quality. Advanced digital technologies (ADT), automation risk, and exposure to artificial intelligence (AI) are associated with certain facets of job quality. The results suggest that ADT
has a positive impact on certain job quality indicators (e.g. safety, fair pay, and autonomy), particularly for younger and older workers. However, automation may have negative causal effects on work-life balance, autonomy, and organisational support. The study suggests that exposure to AI increases the risk for medium-skilled workers. However, it also shows that AI is generally associated with higher levels of working time satisfaction, improved work-life
balance, and better training opportunities. The impact of digital transformation on job quality varies across different socio-economic groups. Regarding offshoring, our results reveal both positive and negative effects on workers. On one hand, it can reduce poor safety and poor treatment at work and improve work-life balance. On the other hand, it is associated with working at a high-speed pace and can result in a reduction in training.