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EU Diversity in Terms of Digitalization on the Labor Market in the Post-COVID-19 Context

Author

Listed:
  • Georgiana-Alina Crisan

    (The Faculty of Economic Cybernetics, Statistics and Informatics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 15-17 Dorobanti Street, Sector 1, 010552 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Madalina Ecaterina Popescu

    (The Faculty of Economic Cybernetics, Statistics and Informatics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 15-17 Dorobanti Street, Sector 1, 010552 Bucharest, Romania
    The National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, 6-8 Povernei Street, 010643 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Eva Militaru

    (The National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, 6-8 Povernei Street, 010643 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Amalia Cristescu

    (The National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, 6-8 Povernei Street, 010643 Bucharest, Romania
    The Faculty of Theoretical and Applied Economics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 15-17 Dorobanti Street, Sector 1, 010552 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

Digital technologies are being integrated into everyday life worldwide, constantly transforming our society and labor markets. The EU requires digitally smart people in the labor market and has promoted this through the Digital Agenda. In this context, our paper aims to investigate the diversity of the EU member states in terms of the digitalization of the labor market in the post-pandemic context. Using a multidimensional perspective, we considered indicators reflecting not only labor market specificities but also the degree of digitalization and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. First, the strength of the association between digitalization and the labor market indicators was quantified through a Pearson test, while the cluster analysis highlighted some patterns for the high-tech EU economies compared to the medium- and low-tech EU economies. Among the high-tech economies cluster, Finland stands out as the frontrunner in the EU’s digital transformation, with the most digitally skilled workers. At the opposite pole are the South-Eastern countries, which have the most to do to recover and still lack an effective digital policy framework to support youth workers’ access to digital training. The practical implications of our study consist mostly of providing decision-makers with directions on issues to tackle when implementing EU digital policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgiana-Alina Crisan & Madalina Ecaterina Popescu & Eva Militaru & Amalia Cristescu, 2023. "EU Diversity in Terms of Digitalization on the Labor Market in the Post-COVID-19 Context," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:11:y:2023:i:12:p:293-:d:1292672
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nicholas Bloom & James Liang & John Roberts & Zhichun Jenny Ying, 2015. "Does Working from Home Work? Evidence from a Chinese Experiment," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 130(1), pages 165-218.
    2. Lukas Schlogl & Andy Sumner, 2018. "The Rise of the Robot Reserve Army: Automation and the Future of Economic Development, Work, and Wages in Developing Countries," Working Papers 487, Center for Global Development.
    3. Oğuz Başol & Hüseyin Sevgi & Esin Cumhur Yalçın, 2023. "The Effect of Digitalization on Youth Unemployment for EU Countries: Treat or Threat?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-15, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Georgiana-Alina Crisan & Anda Belciu & Madalina Ecaterina Popescu, 2025. "Digital Transformation—One Step Further to a Sustainable Economy: The Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-46, February.
    2. Simona Ioana Ghita & Cristina Rodica Boboc & Andreea Simona Saseanu & Sorin George Toma, "undated". "Behavioral Patterns of European Countries From the Triple Perspective of Tertiary Education, Labour Market and Digitalization," BASIQ Conference Proceedings 2024:058, Bucharest University of Economic Studies.
    3. Gancho Ganchev & Mariya Paskaleva & Kalina Durova-Angelova & Yordanka Noneva-Zlatkova, 2025. "Socio-Economic Impacts of Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization in Post-COVID-19 Europe," Economic Thought journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 2, pages 139-171.
    4. Georgiana-Alina Crisan & Madalina Ecaterina Popescu, 2025. "Investigating The Romanian Digital Transformation Progress In The Eu Context," Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 10(1), pages 142-155, March.
    5. Zegrean Andrei & Girlovan Aura & Botoroga Cosmin-Alin & Vrabie Madalina, 2025. "The Role of Digital Transformation in Shaping Labor Productivity across EU Member States," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 19(1), pages 4923-4934.
    6. Georgiana-Alina Crișan & Adrian Domenteanu & Mădălina Ecaterina Popescu & Camelia Delcea, 2025. "Decision-Making for Sustainable Digitalization Through Grey Systems Theory: A Bibliometric Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-42, May.

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