Work intensification and autonomy in the digitized working world ‒ A challenge for the well-being of employees?

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine how the introduction of new technologies is related to employee’s work intensity, job autonomy and monotonous tasks. Further, we examine whether and to what extent the empirically well-documented relationship between these working conditions and employee well-being is moderated by the introduction of new technologies. The analyses are based on the BIBB/BAuA employment survey 2006, 2012 and 2018, that allow us to distinguish between newly introduced computer programmes and newly introduced production/process technologies. Results of OLS models indicate that the introduction of new technologies is associated with increased work intensity. Regarding job autonomy and monotonous tasks there are differences according to the type of introduced technology. The analyses further reveal that the introduction of new computer programmes partially moderates the association between working conditions and job dissatisfaction or psychosomatic health complaints, respectively. In sum, the results indicate that new technologies are associated with both, opportunities and risks for the work situation as well as the well-being of employees and should be given greater consideration in social partnership negotiation processes.