DigiWork: Digital Prism and the Nordic Model of Workplace Democracy under Pressure

Workplace monitoring, algorithmic management systems, automated decision-making support systems, performance quantification and similar technologies represent a new form of workplace governance. 

Algorithmic governance, as a new mode of power, puts the Norwegian model of workplace democracy and the tripartite collaboration between employees and trade unions, employers, and authorities, under pressure.

This project investigates the effects of digital transformation of work on the Norwegian model of workplace democracy and tripartite collaboration.

We ask:

• How do digital regimes of governance affect power relations between management, trade union representatives, and employees at the workplaces?
• How do algorithmic of work organization affect labor management, work environment and labor relation in Norwegian workplaces?
• How do these changes affect the concepts and attitudes towards work and labor processes?

DigiWORK offers unique comparative qualitative and quantitative analysis of the effects of datafication and algorithmization of work on the Norwegian model of workplace democracy in the
Norwegian

1. law enforcement
2. healthcare
3. higher education
4. petroleum industry.

This will enable us to understand new constellations of power and governance that emerge, and to provide actionable insights for policymakers, employer associations and trade unions.

The project is based at The Work Research Institute (AFI), OsloMet, in collaboration with Roskilde University College, Teesside University, and University of Oslo.