This paper examines how the digital transition and the green transition together constitute a twin transition, and looks at the potential effects of this twin transition on working life. The twin transition is considered a comprehensive socio-technical change, which brings opportunities to develop the quality of work and working life. The paper also presents various ways in which working life research can increase our understanding of the transition and contribute to it.
Besides opportunities, the paper also highlights tensions and contradictions regarding the twin transition. These arise, on the one hand, from the fact that the transition concerns a large group of actors who may have intersecting, different and divergent goals and interests. On the other hand, the relationship between the development of digital information technology and the green transition is also tense and contradictory. While it is possible to promote the green transition with the help of artificial intelligence and other technologies, technological development can have significant side effects that increase the consumption of energy and natural resources.
According to forecasts, the overall effects of the twin transition on employment at the level of the national economy are expected to be moderate, and rather more positive than negative. However, the positive and negative effects on employment can impact different industries, different regions, different occupations and different organizations in very different ways. The twin transition will probably further accelerate the ever- increasing growth in demand for professionals. The infrastructure investments required by the transition will likely also increase the demand for labour especially in manufacturing, construction and various maintenance activities.
