The impact of automation on the job market has been a popular topic of discussion, with many employers struggling to find workers and turning to robotics as a solution. However, one aspect that is often overlooked is how human workers feel about working alongside robots. While automation can alleviate the physically demanding aspects of blue-collar work, it may also have a negative effect on worker morale.
To explore the impact of robotics on job “meaningfulness,” the Brookings Institution conducted surveys over the past decade and a half. The institution defines work meaningfulness as satisfying three psychological needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness. The surveys were conducted in 14 industries across 20 European countries and were cross-referenced with robot deployment data from the International Federation of Robotics. Industries included automotive, chemical products, food and beverage, and metal production.
The findings from the surveys revealed a decrease in worker-perceived meaningfulness and autonomy levels due to robot adoption. For example, if the food and beverage industry were to match the level of robot adoption seen in the automotive industry, there would be a staggering 6.8% decrease in work meaningfulness and a 7.5% decrease in autonomy. This raises concerns about whether the implementation of robotics will make human roles more robotic as well. On the other hand, proponents argue that these systems eliminate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency.
Interestingly, the negative consequences of robotization were found to be consistent across different roles and demographics. The impact on work meaningfulness was the same regardless of education level, skill level, or job tasks.
Simply rejecting automation is not a viable solution as long as robots continue to benefit corporations financially. However, there is a potential solution proposed by Milena Nikolova from Brookings. She suggests that if firms establish mechanisms for collaboration between humans and machines, rather than pitting them against each other, workers’ well-being can be improved.
This idea aligns with the increasing focus on collaborative robotics rather than complete worker replacement. Treating robots as partners rather than competitors is likely to yield better outcomes for both human workers and businesses. Ultimately, the goal should be to find a balance that integrates automation while preserving worker satisfaction and well-being.