Manifestations and Effects of Job Alienation in Light of Digital Transformation: An Analytical Sociological Perspective

Abstract

Sociologists, particularly those specializing in social psychology, have shown significant interest in the phenomenon of job alienation, which has been increasingly prevalent in the digital age. This study aims to identify job alienation, its key manifestations, and its subsequent effects within contemporary digital work environments. The research employs a descriptive analytical methodology to investigate how digital transformation reshapes professional performance and organizational relationships. The theoretical framework utilizes Karl Marx's theory of alienation, applying it to modern contexts where workers may become detached from their work products, their professional selves, and their colleagues due to technological dominance. Key findings indicate that increasing professional reliance on digital technologies, algorithms, and artificial intelligence leads to a profound sense of professional isolation. Furthermore, digital transformation impacts workers' perception of their professional identity, often resulting in a loss of meaning and value in their tasks. The study highlights that digital labor, despite offering speed and efficiency, produces new patterns of alienation such as digital surveillance, constant connectivity stress, and the blurring of boundaries between professional and private life. These manifestations lead to significant organizational consequences, including decreased job satisfaction, higher turnover rates, and diminished productivity. The study concludes by emphasizing the dialectical nature of digital transformation, which carries potentials for liberation but also risks of deep human objectification. Recommendations include developing a participatory digital culture, training employees in digital skills, and designing work environments that balance technical efficiency with human dignity.