How Big is the Gig? Assessing the Preliminary Evidence on the Effects of Digitalization on the Labor Market

Werner Eichhorst, Holger Hinte, Ulf Rinne and Verena Tobsch ()
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Verena Tobsch: E-x-AKT WIRTSCHAFTSFORSCHUNG

No 117, IZA Policy Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper assesses the importance of digitalization in Germany and other developed countries with a particular attention to the potential or actual impact it may have on the labor market. Referring to available empirical evidence, we document the already developing transformation of occupations and forms of employment and the role of the platform economy, including the phenomenon of solo self-employment. We then derive current and future challenges for social protection and suggest some ideas to update social insurance in the face of these new challenges.

Keywords: digitization; robots; automation; future of work; industry 4.0; technical changes; sharing economy; platform economy; labor market; welfare state (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J08 J24 O33 O38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 23 pages
Date: 2016-10
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Journal Article: How Big is the Gig? Assessing the Preliminary Evidence on the Effects of Digitalization on the Labor Market (2017)
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