Digitalization, Job Quality, and Subjective Well-being

The public debate on the consequences of digitalization for the labor market focuses mainly on the quantity of jobs. However, the potential consequences of digitalization regarding the quality of employment should not be forgotten. The current chapter reviews the literature for developed countries on the link between digitalization and employees’ well-being in its objective and subjective dimensions. Six facets of job quality generally studied in the literature are examined: labor income, safety at work, working time and work-life balance, job security, skill development and training, employment-related relationships and work motivation. The chapter also reviews the related literature on the impacts of digitalization on subjective well-being, captured by self-reported feelings of employees at work, such as job satisfaction, job stress, and life satisfaction. The key findings in the literature are highlighted and relevant knowledge is identified. Researchers have extensively studied the links between digitalization and job quality in terms of labor income and work-life balance. However, studies on the link between digitalization and safety at work, job security, skills development, relationships at work, work motivation, or self-reported feelings remain scarce, and this calls for further research. Regardless of the outcome variable, studies report mixed results. Differences in how technology and outcome variables are measured and conceptualized, as well as the national and time context and employees’ characteristics, may explain these divergent results and conclusions.