Digitalization of Work and Human Resources Processes as a Way to Create a Sustainable and Ethical Organization

Aleksandra Kuzior, Karolina Kettler and Łukasz Rąb
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Aleksandra Kuzior: Department of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 26-28 Roosevelt St., 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
Karolina Kettler: Department of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 26-28 Roosevelt St., 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
Łukasz Rąb: Department of Philosophy of Morality and Global Ethics, Maria Grzegorzewska University, 02-353 Warsaw, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Remote and hybrid working models and accelerated digitalization of the human resources processes were introduced in most organizations worldwide as a consequence of the COVD-19 pandemic. This digital revolution at the workplace was forced by extraordinary circumstances, thus its impact had not been anticipated before. This motivated the authors to study the new work reality. The research was based on a hypothesis that the digitalization of work and the human resources processes, approaches organizations to the sustainable development ideal. Sustainability is here understood as maintaining a balance between economic, environmental, and social factors. The authors analyzed the impact between the digital processes and the way of working on the following areas: CO 2 emissions, creating plastic waste, saving energy, creating a gender-diverse and inclusive workplace. To verify the hypothesis, the authors used their own original and desk research. The original research was conducted within a Berlin-based tech startup between March 2020 and August 2021. Additionally, the authors ran surveys among international startups and scale-ups. Based on their findings the authors concluded that there can be a positive correlation between digitalization and increased organizational sustainability. This result is significant not only for the human resources specialists but can indicate a direction for a general business strategy.

Keywords: sustainable development; humanistic management; sustainable organization; surveillance capitalism; pandemic; remote work; environmental protection; carbon footprint; diversity and inclusion; remote work; philosophy of digital life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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