The human side of digitalization: psychosocial factors in Norway’s offshore petroleum industry

Abstract Digitalization is transforming the offshore sector, providing efficiency gains while also raising concerns about its impact on employees’ psychosocial well-being. Although the psychosocial effects of digitalization are critical in high-risk industries, they remain underexplored; this study addresses the gap by examining offshore workers’ experiences, specifically how they interact with digital tools and how psychosocial factors – defined as aspects of work organization and interpersonal relationships that influence well-being and safety – are addressed in industry white papers. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 10 offshore personnel, from technical staff to managers in supervisor positions, with 5–20 + years of offshore experience, and a narrative review of five government and industry reports. Findings reveal both benefits and challenges of new digital tools applied in offshore operations, such as handheld devices, including enhanced efficiency and communication, along with increased cognitive demands and concerns about trust and workload. White papers emphasize safety and competence, though the focus remains predominantly on physical safety. By linking worker experiences with industry perspectives, the study highlights the importance of balancing efficiency, safety, and psychosocial well-being.