Assessing job satisfaction in the era of digital transformation: a comparative study of the first wave of tasks digitalization in Japan and France

Abstract

This paper aims at analysing the diverse effects of the first wave of digitalization (2000s) on job satisfaction through a comparison between Japan and France. We propose a simplified mediation model that incorporates work organization characteristics and synthesizes the different relations at stake. We do not find substantial differences between the two countries regarding the impact of digital use on work organization practices. Then, we find no direct effect of digital use on job satisfaction. However, digital use is correlated to some work organization practices (mainly autonomy and flexibility; learning), through which it has positive mediated effects. Finally, the major source of the digital divide, in terms of satisfaction, is, in both countries, related to the perceived absence of digital skills by some workers.