Technology-driven workplace transformation: changes, challenges, and opportunities

Purpose This study analyses how technology-driven transformations reshape work organization and labour relations by integrating technological, institutional, and subjective dimensions to promote inclusive and sustainable strategies. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 methodology. Studies indexed in Scopus and Web of Science (2015–2025) were selected through a rigorous process. A mixed deductive–inductive coding approach enabled thematic synthesis and identification of patterns across the literature. Findings Results are grouped into five categories: disruptive technologies, institutional narratives, human and ethical deficits, workers' perceptions, and integrative proposals. Findings show that labour transformation is a multidimensional process shaped by tensions between efficiency, autonomy, and sustainability. Key challenges include limited worker participation, algorithmic opacity, unequal access to digital skills, and insufficient attention to well-being. The need for participatory and ethical governance frameworks is emphasized. Research limitations/implications The focus on indexed peer-reviewed literature may introduce geographic and linguistic bias. The absence of primary data limits causal inference, suggesting the need for empirical and comparative studies. Practical implications Provides guidance for policymakers and organizations on participatory design, digital literacy, and ethical implementation of technologies. Social implications Highlights the importance of equity, inclusion, and worker well-being in shaping fair and sustainable digital labour transitions. Originality/value The study proposes a novel multi-level framework integrating technological, institutional, and subjective dimensions, offering a comprehensive and socially grounded understanding of digital transformation while bridging fragmented literature.