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Digital transformation: The role of computer use in employee health

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  • Dengler, Katharina
  • Hiesinger, Karolin
  • Tisch, Anita

Abstract

This paper studies employee health in the context of digital transformation in Germany. While most studies have focused on mental health, we focus on physical health. Using pooled survey data, we estimate how an increased use of computers in the workplace relates to subjective health and work-related health complaints. We find that employees using the computer frequently report better subjective health and a significantly lower prevalence of back pain and physical exhaustion. After controlling for physical work exposures, the health-promoting effect of computer use is much smaller, suggesting that high computer use is associated with a less physically demanding work environment, which in turn relates to better (physical) health outcomes. While digital transformation seems to foster physical health, there are hints that mental health could deteriorate. Thus, the focus of occupational health is shifting towards the prevention of mental stress.

Suggested Citation

  • Dengler, Katharina & Hiesinger, Karolin & Tisch, Anita, 2022. "Digital transformation: The role of computer use in employee health," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:46:y:2022:i:c:s1570677x22000338
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2022.101137
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. LECHEVALIER, Sébastien & MOFAKHAMI, Malo, 2023. "Analyzing the diverse impact of digital use on the job quality : Comparing work organization and job satisfaction in Japan and France," Discussion Paper Series 740, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    2. Principe, Francesco & Weber, Guglielmo, 2023. "Online health information seeking and Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy: Evidence from 50+ Europeans," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    3. Nadeem, Kashif & Wong, Sut I. & Za, Stefano & Venditti, Michelina, 2024. "Digital transformation and industry 4.0 employees: Empirical evidence from top digital nations," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    4. Sinha, Kompal & Davillas, Apostolos & Jones, Andrew M. & Sharma, Anurag, 2021. "Do socioeconomic health gradients persist over time and beyond income? A distributional analysis using UK biomarker data," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Digital transformation; Computer use; Health; Work-related complaints; Employees; Work exposures;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • C26 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Instrumental Variables (IV) Estimation
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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