The influence of technology on the future of work: Bibliometric review and directions for management scholarship

Abstract

The rapid escalation of technology-driven transformation has spawned scholarship across disciplines related to the future of work. We conducted a systematic bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed publications across multiple disciplines (business, computer science, decision science, economics, engineering, psychology, and social science) to discover how technology shapes work in the 21st century. Utilizing a variety of bibliometric techniques, we identified the dominant and influential topics in this literature. We uncovered four research clusters related to (1) algorithmic management in online platforms ( n = 297), (2) influence of automation and new technologies on employment ( n = 121), (3) adoption of digital technologies as a response to disruptions in the environment ( n = 68), and (4) worker experiences and outcomes in the gig economy ( n = 47). Based on these findings, we propose specific directions for management scholarship.