Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The primary aim of the paper is to analyse how information and communication technologies (ICT) are transforming the Polish labour market.It seeks to understand structural employment changes driven by technological advancements, such as automation, digitization, and robotization, and how these trends influence employment patterns, demand for specific skills, and socio-economic policies.A specific focus is placed on theoretical models (e.g., SBTC, RBTC, ALM) within the Polish context.Design/methodology/approach: This study employs a qualitative-descriptive approach grounded in secondary data analysis and a literature review.Findings: Key findings include: -Labour market polarization: a rising demand for high-and low-skilled workers with a decline in medium-skilled jobs.-IT sector expansion: Significant growth, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to increased digitization and remote work.-Regional disparities: Urban centres adapt faster to technological changes, highlighting digital and economic segmentation.-Mismatch in labour supply and demand: Particularly for mid-skilled occupations prone to automation.-Need for reskilling and continuous learning: Rapid obsolescence of skills due to technological changes.-Mixed evidence on routine work devaluation: Some routine manual workers in Poland saw wage increases, contradicting standard RBTC predictions.Research limitations/implications: Generalizability may be constrained due to its Polishcentric focus.The authors identify a need for future research into longitudinal impacts of automation in post-transition economies and micro-level skill adaptation strategies.Practical implications: The paper suggests that a proactive, system-wide policy response is needed to mitigate risks and harness technological benefits. Social implications:The paper encourages social inclusion by bridging the urban-rural digital divide through investment in digital infrastructure and education, recommends support for NEET youth to prevent marginalization, and addresses the ethical and societal consequences of automation. Originality/value:The paper provides a novel synthesis of international labour market theories and Polish labour dynamics, offering a localized lens on global transformations.It bridges academic theory with policy relevance, offering actionable recommendations for education, employment, and innovation systems.It is particularly valuable for policy designers, educators, economists, and those involved in regional development and ICT integration.
Authors: Krzysztof GŁUC, Krzysztof JUREK
Institution: Krakow University of Economics
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412709202