Iva Horvat, Milijana Mićunović, Anita Papić: AUTOMATION AND ROBOTS IN THE LABOUR MARKET: YOUNG ADULTS’ PERCEPTIONS
Original Paper
Iva Horvat, IntechOpen, Croatia
Milijana Mićunović, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, Croatia
Anita Papić, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, Croatia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59014/USDW6606
Keywords:
4th industrial revolution, automation, labour market, robotization, young adults
Abstract
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), marked by automation and robotization,
significantly influences sustainable economic development and policies. Key aspects
include job displacement and job creation, and the evolving nature of work, necessitating
reskilling, upskilling and cross-skilling. Addressing these challenges requires
strategic frameworks and empowering young adults, the future workforce, through
education and awareness. This paper explores the impact of the 4IR on the labour
market, particularly its effect on the nature of work, skills, lifelong learning, and
labour law. It examines how young adults, especially the graduate and final year
students at the University of Osijek, perceive these changes and their readiness to encounter
them. The study aims to understand their perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs
about the 4IR’s transformative effects on the labour market. This is crucial as they
represent the emerging workforce, which will be impacted by automation, robotization,
and other technological shifts. The purpose of the study is to gain deeper insight
into how young adults perceive these changes in general, but also in terms of their
future jobs and necessary skill pool. The research involved a survey (Lime Survey,
SPSS) based on a critical review of literature in the 4IR, automation, robotization,
and labour market changes. It assessed the perceptions, attitudes, and preparedness
of young adults regarding the 4IR’s impact on the labour market. Findings indicate
that young adults generally anticipate job losses due to automation and robotization
but also expect new jobs creation. They are largely willing to engage in lifelong
learning and to adopt new skills in order to adapt to a dynamic labour market. The
study gains relevance in light of the unexpected rise of generative AI (GAI), which
introduces more profound changes and challenges, and creates a context that allows
for a comparison between the current and recent economic and labour disruptions.
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