Basic human needs and robotization: How to make deployment of robots worthwhile for everyone?

• Published in: Technology in society 2022-02, Vol.68, p.101917, Article 101917
• Main Authors: Turja, Tuuli, Särkikoski, Tuomo, Koistinen, Pertti, Melin, Harri
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autonomy; Basic needs; Best interests; Change agents; Change management; Deployment; Employees; Future; Human factors; Information management; Job satisfaction; Motivation; Organizational change; Psychological needs; Quality of work; Relatedness; Robot; Robotics; Robots; Statistical analysis; Technological change; Well being; Work; Working conditions; Workplaces
• ISSN: 0160-791X; 1879-3274
• DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.101917

It is in organizations' best interests to support the motivation and wellbeing of their personnel during organizational changes. One example of this is robotizing work in such a way that the employees also perceive the outcome to be worthwhile. This is especially relevant when supporting and augmenting human competences and contributions in service jobs with new-generation robots. The present study examined the realization of work-related material and psychological needs between robotized and non-robotized workplaces, as well as the relationships among robotization, basic needs, and job satisfaction. The population-based study used nationwide Quality of Work Life survey data collected in Finland (N = 4089). The statistical analyses were conducted considering various fields of work. The results show that in robotized work, material needs are met better regarding income, but not necessarily regarding the working environment. Psychological needs (competence, autonomy, and relatedness) were proven to be met more frequently in non-robotized workplaces than in robotized workplaces. Satisfied psychological needs were then positively associated with future-oriented job satisfaction (FJS) in both robotized and non-robotized workplaces. However, there were differences depending on the field of work. In some robotized workplaces, less realization of basic needs even supports FJS. The results demonstrate the importance of acknowledging human factors in robotization and provide valuable information for change management in different industries. Technological changes may not support employees’ basic needs by default, and robotization entails distinct qualities dependent on the field of work. •Basic human needs have not previously been studied in the context of robotization.•Robotization is more likely to support employees' material than psychological needs.•Psychological needs are more frequently realized in non-robotized workplaces.•Basic needs associate with job satisfaction but not without context-based variation.