scholarly journals Potential Scenarios and Hazards in the Work of the Future: A Systematic Review of the Peer-Reviewed and Gray Literatures

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 786-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A Schulte ◽  
Jessica M K Streit ◽  
Fatima Sheriff ◽  
George Delclos ◽  
Sarah A Felknor ◽  
...  

Abstract It would be useful for researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers to anticipate the hazards that workers will face in the future. The focus of this study is a systematic review of published information to identify and characterize scenarios and hazards in the future of work. Eleven bibliographic databases were systematically searched for papers and reports published from 1999 to 2019 that described future of work scenarios or identified future work-related hazards. To compile a comprehensive collection of views of the future, supplemental and ad hoc searches were also performed. After screening all search records against a set of predetermined criteria, the review yielded 36 references (17 peer-reviewed, 4 gray, and 15 supplemental) containing scenarios. In these, the future of work was described along multiple conceptual axes (e.g. labor market changes, societal values, and manual versus cognitive work). Technology was identified as the primary driver of the future of work in most scenarios, and there were divergent views in the literature as to whether technology will create more or fewer jobs than it displaces. Workforce demographics, globalization, climate change, economic conditions, and urbanization were also mentioned as influential factors. Other important themes included human enhancement, social isolation, loneliness, worker monitoring, advanced manufacturing, hazardous exposures, sustainability, biotechnology, and synthetic biology. Pandemics have not been widely considered in the future of work literature, but the recent COVID-19 pandemic illustrates that was short-sighted. Pandemics may accelerate future of work trends and merit critical consideration in scenario development. Many scenarios described ‘new’ or ‘exacerbated’ psychosocial hazards of work, whereas comparatively fewer discussed physical, chemical, or biological hazards. Various preventive recommendations were identified. In particular, reducing stress associated with precarious work and its requirements of continual skill preparation and training was acknowledged as critical for protecting and promoting the health and well-being of the future workforce. In conclusion, the future of work will be comprised of diverse complex scenarios and a mosaic of old and new hazards. These findings may serve as the basis for considering how to shape the future of work.

Author(s):  
Erin K. Chiou ◽  
Eric Holder ◽  
Igor Dolgov ◽  
Kaleb McDowell ◽  
Lance Menthe ◽  
...  

Global investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are on the rise, with the results to impact global economies, security, safety, and human well-being. The most heralded advances in this space are more often about the technologies that are capable of disrupting business-as-usual than they are about innovation that advances or supports a global workforce. The Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier is one of NSF’s 10 Big Ideas for research advancement. This panel discussion focuses on the barriers and opportunities for a future of human and AI/robot teaming, with people at the center of complex systems that provide social, ethical, and economic value.


Author(s):  
Alfred Kent Van Cleave

This chapter examines the issues of work satisfaction, employee well-being, and the future of work from the perspective of and as impacted by two prominent and contemporary models of corporate governance. It begins with an examination of work satisfaction and leadership, informed by motivation, leadership, and workplace attachment theories, then discusses how these theories have been impacted by changes in corporate governance. Present-day implications of corporate governance on work satisfaction and well-being are examined, followed by the implications of these considerations for the future of work in the fourth industrial revolution.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 31-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme B. Benitez ◽  
Giovani J. C. Da Silveira ◽  
Flavio S. Fogliatto

This study presents a systematic review of the literature on layout planning in healthcare facilities. The review includes 81 articles from journals, conferences, books, and other documents. Articles were classified in two groups according to their main contents including (i) concepts and guidelines and (ii) techniques and tools to assist in layout planning in healthcare facilities. Results indicate that a great variety of concepts and tools have been used to solve layout problems in healthcare. However, healthcare environments such as hospitals can be complex, limiting the ability to obtain optimal layout solutions. Influential factors may include the flows of patients, staff, materials, and information; layout planning and implementation costs; staff and patients safety and well-being; and environmental contamination, among others. The articles reviewed discussed and often proposed solutions covering one or more factors. Results helped us to propose future research directions on the subject.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Tamers

Abstract The future of work is being shaped by rapid changes in the workplace, work, and workforce. Driven by advances in industry, this movement is marked by the accelerated pace of developments connecting people, places, and things. All these advances and developments have implications for worker safety, health, and well-being and require innovative occupational safety and health strategies. Because of these new realities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently launched the Future of Work (FOW) Initiative. This Initiative is a collaborative effort of multidisciplinary research, communication, and partnerships throughout NIOSH, other agencies, and organizations that aims to identify novel research solutions, practical approaches, and partnership opportunities to address the future of work. To more broadly address worker safety, health, and well-being, the FOW Initiative applies the Total Worker Health® (TWH) framework. TWH is defined as policies, programs, and practices that integrate protection from work-related safety and health hazards with promotion of injury and illness prevention efforts to advance worker well-being. The TWH approach prioritizes changes to improve physical, organizational, and psychosocial factors that present possible risks in the work environment for today's and tomorrow's workforce. This presentation will first introduce CDC/NIOSH's FOW Initiative. Next, the TWH integrated approach will be defined and described. Centering on CDC/NIOSH's future of work priority topics in the areas of workplace (organizational design, technological displacement, work arrangements), work (artificial intelligence, robotics, technologies), and workforce (demographics, economic security, skills), the presenter will then provide evidence-based solutions to address future of work issues and related outcomes, using the TWH approach. Key messages The future of work has world-wide implications for the workplace, work, workforce. The Total Worker Health framework is a transdisciplinary approach by which to view and address the future of work. Public health professionals and other stakeholders must take a proactive approach to address worker safety, health, and well-being issues impacted by the future of work.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa Abd-alrazaq ◽  
Ashraf A Malkawi ◽  
Ahmed H Maabreh ◽  
Tanvir Alam ◽  
Bridgette M Bewick ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Listening to the Quran is one of spiritual therapies that have been used for treating mental disorders. Many studies have been conducted to assess the effect of listening to the Quran on mental health and psychological wellbeing. Several reviews were conducted to summarise results of such evidence. However, they either focused on studies published in a certain country (Iran), focused on certain setting (intensive care unit), or were written by Persian language. Moreover, none of them synthesised results of studies statistically.Objective: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of listening to the Quran to improve mental disorders and psychological well-being by summarizing and pooling the findings of previous literature.Methods: A systematic review was conducted to accomplish this objective. The search sources included 6 bibliographic databases (e.g., MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINHAL), the search engine “Google Scholar”, and backward and forward reference list checking of the included studies and relevant reviews. Two reviewers independently carried out the study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and quality of evidence evaluation. Results of the included studies were synthesized narratively and statistically, as appropriate.Results: Of 1724 citations retrieved, 11 studies met the eligibility criteria. Of these studies, 7 were included in meta-analysis. The evidence showed that listening to the Quran is significantly effective in improving state anxiety, trait anxiety, general anxiety, depression, stress and mental health. However, the evidence quality ranged from very low to low due to the high risk of bias, heterogeneity, and impression.Conclusion: Listening to the Quran has the potential to improve mental disorders and psychological well-being. Until high-quality studies approve its effect, health professionals and individuals should consider listening to the Quran as a complementary therapy to already available interventions. Researchers should conduct further studies to compare the effectiveness of reciting and listening to the Quran and Al-Ruqya Al-Shariya with active interventions on mental disorders and psychological well-being among Muslims and non-Muslims from different countries.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1320
Author(s):  
Chan-Young Kwon ◽  
Boram Lee

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become an unprecedented threat to humanity worldwide, including healthcare workers (HCWs). Mind–body modalities have been used to improve the mental health, well-being, quality of life, and physical health of clinical and general populations, and may also be used to improve the mental health of HCWs during COVID-19. The objective of this review is to analyze the effectiveness of mind–body modalities for the mental health of HCWs in the COVID-19 era. Six electronic bibliographic databases were comprehensively searched to find intervention studies using mind–body modalities, including meditation, mindfulness-based intervention, autogenic training, yoga, tai chi, qigong, breathing exercise, music therapy, guided imagery, biofeedback, prayer, and faith-based techniques for HCWs. All intervention studies conducted from December 2019 to August 2021 will be included. Quality assessment will be performed according to study type, and Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias tool will be used for randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). If sufficient homogeneous data from RCTs exist, a meta-analysis will be performed. Dichotomous data and continuous data are presented as risk ratios and mean differences with their 95% confidence intervals, respectively. The results of this systematic review will be disseminated through the publication of a manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal or by presentation at a conference.


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