• Project number: F 2573
• Institution: Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
• Status: Ongoing Project
• Planned end: 2025-12-31

Description:

The use of Buzzwords like digitalisation and industry or Work 4.0 reflects the ongoing transformation of the world of work through new technologies. These are currently subjects of intense debates in both academia and society. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is particularly controversial. In contrast to the controversial debates surrounding these topics, there is a lack of reliable and representative data that can shed light on the specific areas of work that are being fundamentally transformed by digitalisation and the technologies involved.

The initial project "Survey on the diffusion and impact of digitalisation and change in employment in the world of work" collected meaningful data in 2019, providing insights into the extent of technology diffusion, fields of application and its effects on employees and work organisations in Germany. The data revealed that digitalisation does not follow a uniform development pattern with universal effects on employees. Instead, it encompasses a multitude of diverse developments that impact sectors, companies and jobs in varying ways.

The second survey on digitalisation and change in employment (DiWaBe 2.0) aims to identify current changes in technology diffusion, usage and their impact on employees. This survey also emphasizes the work-related use of AI-based technologies.

For this purpose, the questionnaire of the first survey will be revised in collaboration with the IAB, the BIBB and the ZEW. About 6,500 employees in Germany will be interviewed by telephone.

The results of the survey will be analysed and published in academic journals. Additionally, they will serve as a basis for discussions on designing humane working conditions in the age of digitalisation and contribute to the reporting on the world of work.