Algorithmic management in traditional workplaces: Insights from the transport, logistics, and retail sectors
Foundation for European Progressive Studies, Brussels
FEPS - Brussels
2024
71 p.
digitalisation ; future of work ; artificial intelligence ; automation ; industrial policy ; case study ; workers representation ; collective bargaining ; codetermination
Policy Study
September2024
Labour economics
English
Bibliogr.
"Algorithmic management, the use of algorithms and artificial intelligence to direct and control workers, is increasingly reshaping the modern workplace. These technologies are touted as pathways to greater efficiency, productivity, and streamlined operations. However, the reality is far more complex. While digital tools have the potential to revolutionise work, they often lead to heightened pressures, reduced autonomy, and increased precarity for workers. This policy study investigates the impacts of algorithmic management and digital technologies on traditional employment in Finland, with a particular focus on the transport, logistics, and retail sectors. Through qualitative case studies, it captures the lived experiences of workers and trade unionists, revealing how these technologies are altering workplace dynamics. The research highlights that trust and collaboration between employers and employees are crucial in determining whether these tools support or undermine worker welfare. As workers become deeply involved in generating the data that drives these systems, concerns around privacy, surveillance, and value distribution are increasingly pressing. Offering detailed recommendations for Finnish policymakers and trade unions, the study emphasises the need for transparency, strengthened legal protections, and proactive strategies to ensure that technological advancements benefit both workers and businesses."
Digital
ISBN (PDF) : 978-2-931233-36-8
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