Digitization of employment: the conceptual apparatus

Abstract

Purpose:  is to develop the theoretical and methodological foundations for the study of digitalization of employment based on an assessment of the depth of penetration of information and communication technologies into labor processes and clarification of the essential characteristics of the phenomenon of "digital employment".Methods: the goal was achieved using traditional methods: desk research, structural and logical analysis, systematization and generalization of information. The empirical database was formed on the basis of sociological methods: a structured survey of the able-bodied population of the Ural Federal District and an expert survey of representatives of the business and scientific community. The scale of digitalization of employment in the region was determined by the methods of statistical analysis. When processing the results of an expert survey, the methods of semantic and SWOT analysis of content were used.Results:  the relevance of clarifying the conceptual apparatus of digitalization of employment is problematized. Sociological assessments showed a high level of penetration of information and communication technologies (ICT) into the labor sphere (81.3%) and a variety of formats, modes and nature of employment in the digital segment of the labor market, its differences from the non-digital sector. The intensity of the use of ICT has a high variation: from less than 30% during the working day to 70–100%. IT specialists and specialists who use ICT in their work mainly work remotely or in a hybrid format (51%), while those employed using digital platforms work in the office (66.7%). In the segment of platform employment, there are difficulties with self-identification of the place of work and employment status. The essential features of the phenomenon of "digital employment" are identified and the key criteria for classifying employment as a digital type are expertly substantiated, the author's definition of the concept of "digital employment" is formulated, and an enlarged classification is proposed.Conclusions and Relevance: the application of the author's approach can form the basis for refining the methodology for assessing the scale of digital employment and its characteristics. Digitalization of employment generates both positive and negative consequences. Research on digital employment is promising in terms of sustainability or instability of working conditions and social risks.