Automation and Work Through a Qualitative Lens. A Systematic Literature Review of Empirical Research from 2000 to 2024

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic literature review of qualitative empirical studies on the automation of work published between 2000 and 2024. It addresses three central questions: (1) What are the key findings of qualitative research on the outcomes of automation for work and their contextual and organizational determinants? (2) How do these insights compare to results from quantitative studies? (3) What gaps and future research opportunities emerge from the qualitative evidence? The review analyzes 77 studies selected from an initial pool of 4,794 publications. Using inductive coding combined with theory-driven categories, it reconstructs con- textual factors (institutional regimes, sectors, occupations), input factors (technologies, managerial strategies, labor participation, organizational routines), and automation outcomes (task complexity, skill requirements, workload). The findings show no universal effects of automation; instead, outcomes vary strongly across sectors, occupational groups, and technological designs. Managerial strategies, labor power and organizational routines prove are important factors that shape the automation of work. To analyze the interaction of these factors and explain the divergent outcomes, integrating labor process theory and STS perspectives will be essential.