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Determinants of 21st-Century Skills and 21st-Century Digital Skills for Workers: A Systematic Literature Review

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  • Ester van Laar
  • Alexander J. A. M. van Deursen
  • Jan A. G. M. van Dijk
  • Jos de Haan

Abstract

This study brings attention to the determinants of 21st-century skills and 21st-century digital skills. The following skills are investigated: technical, information, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. To understand differences in the level of these skills among workers, we need to know the factors that determine an individual’s skill level. A systematic literature review was conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of empirical studies measuring skill determinants. The results show that there is strong need for research on determinants of communication and collaboration skills. In a digital context, determinants for creativity and critical thinking are hardly studied. Furthermore, the identified determinants of 21st-century skills studies are limited to personality and psychological determinants, neglecting, for example, social determinants such as social support. Although digital skills studies show more variety, they mostly cover demographic and socioeconomic determinants.

Suggested Citation

  • Ester van Laar & Alexander J. A. M. van Deursen & Jan A. G. M. van Dijk & Jos de Haan, 2020. "Determinants of 21st-Century Skills and 21st-Century Digital Skills for Workers: A Systematic Literature Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(1), pages 21582440199, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:10:y:2020:i:1:p:2158244019900176
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244019900176
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David H. Autor & Frank Levy & Richard J. Murnane, 2003. "The skill content of recent technological change: an empirical exploration," Proceedings, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, issue Nov.
    2. Sanna Talja, 2005. "The social and discursive construction of computing skills," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 56(1), pages 13-22, January.
    3. Katerina Ananiadou & Magdalean Claro, 2009. "21st Century Skills and Competences for New Millennium Learners in OECD Countries," OECD Education Working Papers 41, OECD Publishing.
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    Cited by:

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    4. Battisti, Enrico & Alfiero, Simona & Leonidou, Erasmia, 2022. "Remote working and digital transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Economic–financial impacts and psychological drivers for employees," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 38-50.
    5. Maria José Sá & Ana Isabel Santos & Sandro Serpa & Carlos Miguel Ferreira, 2021. "Digitainability—Digital Competences Post-COVID-19 for a Sustainable Society," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-22, August.
    6. Helsper, Ellen & Schneider, Luc & van Deursen, Alexander J. A. M. & van Laar, Ester, 2020. "The youth skills digital indicator: report on the conceptualisation and development of the ySkills digital skills measure," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 108878, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    7. Annika Kreuder & Ulrich Frick & Katrin Rakoczy & Sabine J. Schlittmeier, 2024. "Digital competence in adolescents and young adults: a critical analysis of concomitant variables, methodologies and intervention strategies," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, December.
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    10. Cigdem Hursen & Derviş Paşa & Hafize Keser, 2023. "High School Students’ Use of Information, Media, and Technology Skills and Multidimensional 21st-Century Skills: An Investigation within the Context of Students, Teachers, and Curricula," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-21, August.
    11. Mario Grande-de-Prado & Ruth Cañón & Sheila García-Martín & Isabel Cantón, 2020. "Digital Competence and Gender: Teachers in Training. A Case Study," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-15, November.
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    13. Yahya Fikri & Mohamed Rhalma, 2024. "Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Early Childhood Education (ECE): Do Effects and Interactions Matter?," Post-Print hal-04701470, HAL.
    14. Ikenna Franklin Eze & Chux Gervase Iwu & Jobo Dubihlela, 2022. "Lecturers' perspectives concerning the variables that hinder critical thinking development in the classroom," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 11(10), pages 341-349, December.
    15. Cátia Rosário & Celeste Varum & Anabela Botelho, 2024. "Comparison of the Profile of Portuguese Companies That Receive Public Support for Innovation: National Support vs. European Support," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-23, March.
    16. Veronika Bikse & Liva Grinevica & Baiba Rivza & Peteris Rivza, 2022. "Consequences and Challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Impact on the Development of Employability Skills," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-23, June.
    17. Paweł Ziemba & Mateusz Piwowarski & Kesra Nermend, 2023. "Remote Work in Post-Pandemic Reality—Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Teleconferencing Software," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, June.
    18. Fanny Kovaleski & Claudia Tania Picinin & João Luiz Kovaleski, 2022. "The Challenges of Technology Transfer in the Industry 4.0 Era Regarding Anthropotechnological Aspects: A Systematic Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, July.
    19. Cordella, Antonio & Gualdi, Francesco & van de Laar, Mindel, 2024. "Digital skills within the public sector: a missing link to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 122256, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    20. Vida Lang & Andrej Šorgo, 2024. "Views of Students, Parents, and Teachers on Smartphones and Tablets in the Development of 21st-Century Skills as a Prerequisite for a Sustainable Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-14, April.

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