Konsequenzen der Digitalisierung für strukturelle Arbeitsmarktprobleme: Chancen und Risiken

Abstract

Abstract In the foreseeable future, digitalization will most probably be the main driver of technological change. Implications can not only be expected as a result of smart automation but also across service industries. Digitalization will have various labour market impacts. They potentially refer to the level of employment, the composition of jobs, the demand for certain tasks and requirements of firms regarding skill levels. The main aim of the paper is to give a tentative answer to the question how far digitalization may induce either a worsening or an improvement of structural labour market problems. On the basis of conceptual considerations it deals with issues such as potential skill shortages, persistence of unemployment and the structure of employment forms. The result does not indicate that in the future such structural problems will easily be solved. Instead there is a need for reforms in areas such as education, training, labour market and social policies as well as social dialogue.