The rapid spread of physical and cognitive automation has transformed the work environment and employee experience. In this context, scholars have called for a deeper understanding of how work characteristics vary with the implementation of automation.
Based on Hackman and Oldham's Job Characteristics model and its extension by Morgeson and Humphrey, this study examines differences in job characteristics between users and non-users of automation.
As part of the RECHARGE project, data were collected from a sample of 428 employees at a single time point.
Results of the Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) showed that automation users report a higher level of task variety, information processing, job complexity, problem-solving and skill variety. Conversely, non-users experience a higher level of physical demands compared to automation users. This suggests that automation may reduce physical effort. On the other hand, work tasks could be more cognitively demanding for automation users.
Interestingly, automation users report higher levels of adaptability, a personal factor that may be essential in fostering openness to current technological changes in the workplace.
Although the cross-sectional study's design, these findings provide insights into the complex relationship between automation and work characteristics, highlighting the importance for organizations and managers to foster openness to automation and account for changes in cognitive demands when implementing them