Striking the Balance: A Comprehensive Examination of Impact of Digitization on Sustainable Careers. Perspectives from Five Occupations in Belgium

The processes of digitalization exert significant effects on labor markets, impacting the allocation, nature, and quality of jobs. The ensuing implications for workers prompt an examination of job sustainability, defined in terms of the working and living conditions that underpin individuals' ability to engage and persist in employment throughout an extended professional trajectory.
This study uses a qualitative analysis framework to investigate five distinct occupations in Belgium: middle managers, R&D managers, recruiters, customer advisors, and assembly line workers. The primary aim is to interrogate the influences of digital tools on these occupations, delineating the associated risks and opportunities. Furthermore, the research endeavors to discern the skills needed for the effective digital transformation of these occupations.
Examining cases where technology applications diverge from prescribed norms in certain occupations, this study also explores the influence of sociomateriality on shaping the analysis, adding depth to the understanding of the digitalization impact on diverse professional landscapes.