ABSTRACT
Digitalization brings a number of changes to labor, whereof two are of critical importance: Firstly, an increasing number of the tools used in production will be connected to the internet and/or local networks. That brings an opportunity for gathering data on how those tools are utilized. Secondly, improved and tailored cognitive computing systems have the potential to analyze such data far better than humans. This profoundly challenges how we understand the organization of labor. This is a literature study of, and a theoretical discussion on, the impact of digitalization on the labor market. It addresses concepts as well as concerns and explores if digitalization can be embraced by and integrated in existing labor markets, while avoiding deterioration of labor quality. This study recognized that digitalization is not likely to bring about mass replacement of workers by machines and bots. However, it is clear that transparency of and trust in cognitive computer systems are key factors in the successful digitalization of labor. The Nordic Social Partner Approach is identified as a framework with high potential to overcome these challenges.
