Digitale Arbeitswelten im europäischen Vergleich

The importance of digital work in Europe is growing as increasing numbers of employees are using computers on a regular basis. To date little is known about the differences between countries regarding computer usage at work. To address this gap we have utilised data from the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) to analyse computer usage in the EU-15 from 1991 to 2010. The article analyses the general share of computer users and the additionally distinguishes between basic users and intensive users. The results show steady growth of digital work across many EU-15 countries. Nordic countries have gained a lead while it is especially the countries in the south that are lagging behind. Intensive users prevail in Great Britain and Ireland. Throughout the observation period this polarization between intensive users and non-users becomes even more pronounced. In contrast, basic users predominate in Germany. The Nordic countries have reached the highest level of digital inclusion as the numbers of both basic and intensive users have increased. The results highlight a persistent digital divide amongst countries of the EU-15 and suggest that these follow different paths of development.