University of Twente Student Theses
Fear of Robots among European Workers : The Interplay of Cultural and Economic Conditions
Schut, B.K.L. (2025) Fear of Robots among European Workers : The Interplay of Cultural and Economic Conditions.
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| Abstract: | The increasing adoption of automation and robotics has sparked widespread concerns among European workers regarding job security. This study explores how cultural and economic conditions shape the fear of robots in the workplace, addressing a gap in existing literature that often focuses solely on economic factors. Using data from the Eurobarometer 87.1 survey (2017), this research employs a multilevel regression analysis to examine the interplay between cultural dimensions, such as uncertainty avoidance, individualism, power distance, and masculinity, and economic indicators, including GDP growth and unemployment rates. The findings suggest that economic downturns amplify workers’ fear of automation, particularly in cultures characterized by high uncertainty avoidance, high individualism, and high indulgence. Additionally, long-term-oriented, and masculine cultures exhibit lower levels of fear, whereas short-term-oriented and feminine cultures show heightened apprehension toward workplace automation. At the individual level, higher educational attainment, managerial roles, and prior experience with automation significantly reduce fear, highlighting the importance of exposure and skill adaptation in mitigating anxieties about technological change. These results have practical implications for policymakers and businesses seeking to manage workforce transitions in the digital era. Strategies that emphasize lifelong learning, reskilling initiatives, and transparent automation policies can help alleviate workers’ fears and promote a more adaptive labor market. Future research should explore longitudinal data and industry-specific variations to further refine strategies for integrating automation into the workplace effectively. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/105394 |
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