Introducing the Future of Work: Key Trends, Concepts, Technologies and Avenues for Future Research

Abstract

The Future of Work is a projection of how work, working, workers and the workplace will evolve in the years ahead from the perspective of different actors in society, influenced by technological, socio-economic, political and demographic changes. In addition to defining the Future of Work, this chapter discusses some of the main trends, themes and concepts in the Future of Work literature before discussing the different topics covered in the remainder of the book. The chapter concludes with a call for greater inter- and multidisciplinary research, evidence to validate assumptions and hypotheses underlying extant Future of Work research and policy, greater use of futures methodologies and a future of research agenda that is even in its coverage of workspaces, population and employment cohorts, regions, sectors, and organisation types.