The changing nature of work

Saunders, J., Brewster, C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5314-1518 and Holland, P. (2020) The changing nature of work. In: Holland, P. and Brewster, C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5314-1518 (eds.) Contemporary Work and the Future of Employment in Developed Countries. Routledge Research in Employment Relations. Routledge, London, UK, pp. 1-15. ISBN 9781138490635 doi: 10.4324/9781351034906

Abstract/Summary

The impact on workers will depend upon the pace and degree by which the underlying technologies within the robotisation and artificial intelligence defuse and other smart technologies are adopted. The transformative technologies involved in the fourth industrial revolution are already leading to the reorganisation of working processes, automating routine knowledge work, production and services. The increasing separation of work from fixed, long-term employment will require new skill sets among workers and place greater emphases on skills entrepreneurialism and self-employment. A side-effect of technological developments is that work is done in more locations for longer periods due to technology and deregulation. Knowledge workers have access to ever more powerful devices, personal computers, smart phones and tablets. These are increasingly being supplemented with ever more affordable 3D printers; virtual, augmented and mixed reality devices; wearables; and programmable robots.