Adriana Grenčíková

At present times, the impact of new technologies on job creation is going to be a serious problem in personnel management. In the human resources contents, this issue still remains in minor attention. As a result of new communication technologies development in the near future, we will be facing too many changes in working patterns and demands on staff regarding job requirements. Simultaneously with the above stated changes on labor market, a new generation of workers is emerging that grew up with the development of communication technologies, they profess different lifestyle from the one the generations have had before. Many of these generations become employers and bring new approaches to employment of people being different from traditional working patterns. Despite the facts being alleged in this study, it is difficult to estimate to what extent those changes will affect Slovak labor market. Gradual development of technologies is an ongoing process in Slovakia as well and in four years robotics is to be a key technology in most manufacturing plants mainly in automotive industry. Currently, three generations are present on labor market that may have a different approach to changes being implemented nowadays. In this study, the authors analyze the survey results on the use of communication technologies by Generations X, Y, Z, and their abilities to be prepared for changes on labor market. Survey provides interesting information about the access of different generations to communication technologies and their relationship with technical innovations.

The aging of the population is the main global demographic trend of the 21st century and one of the main factors in the formation of supply in the labor market. This study focuses on the aging of the population, which, in the context of the labor market, represents a problem for countries to sustain economic growth. The aim is to determine, based on the analysis of available statistical data, the impact of population aging on labor productivity and the labor market in the Slovak Republic. It also seeks to define how to mitigate the effects of population aging on maintaining economic growth and social stability without raising the retirement age. The study analyzed statistical indicators, utilizing OECD population projections and linking them to macroeconomic indicators (GDP, employment). Assuming GDP growth (3%) and labor productivity (2%) per year while maintaining 70% employment in comparison with population growth presented in the OECD forecasts, there will be approximately 367,000 unfilled jobs on the labor market in the Slovak Republic. Proposed solutions include pension reforms, investment in innovation and education for increased productivity, support for families to raise birth rates, simplified employment of workers from third countries, and improved working conditions for women. Addressing women’s working conditions can help compensate for the shortage in the aging workforce when combined with other solutions.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution bears major technological, demographic, and socio-economic changes affecting nearly every area in business. Within the human resources area, both a surplus of labor and the creation of brand new professions are to be expected. Industry 4.0 concept significantly affects labor productivity in individual countries and does not miss the Slovak Republic either. All segments of the labor market, not just industrial enterprises, will be affected. The present study aims to analyze the possible development of labor productivity in Slovak companies and determine its development in the next period, considering the decreasing number of working-age populations in terms of the fallouts on creation and termination of jobs and occupations. The questionnaire carried out in 319 enterprises in the Slovak Republic with a received response of 228 was a key research tool used to analyze the results of the survey. The findings show that although the labor force within the Slovak labor market will not increase, the labor force will decrease due to unfavorable demographic development. The overall productivity in Slovak companies will increase due to the new technologies implementation. The results have proved that the Industry 4.0 concept will significantly affect labor productivity in the world economy and the Slovak Republic. In particular, the recommendations aim to draw attention to changes in job structure and the need to reform the education system because of Industry 4.0 requirements.

Acknowledgments
This paper was supported by the Slovak Ministry of Education’s Scientific grant agency VEGA: “The impact of Industry 4.0 on jobs structure changes”. Project registration number: [Reg. No.: 1/0430/18].
This paper was supported by the Slovak Ministry of Education’s Scientific grant agency VEGA: “Assessment changes in the qualitative structure of international economic relations under the influence of Industry 4.0 with implications for the EU and Slovak economic policies”. Project registration number: [Reg. No.: 1/0462/20].

The implementation of the home office has changed the organization of work not only during the pandemic but also permanently, so it is considered challenging to explore the effects on work processes and the value orientation of employees. This study aims to identify the employees’ subjective perceptions of work productivity, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of home office during each wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, by taking into account the views of each generational cohort. The paper analyzes the effects of the home office on employee productivity in Slovak firms and its impacts on private life. Descriptive statistical methods were used to process the data obtained by questionnaire survey, conducted in several phases from September 1, 2020, till August 20, 2022, on a sample of 1167 respondents reached by random selection. The questionnaire was distributed through social network sites and targeted at people who use information and communication technologies, which is a requirement of the home office. The hypothesis was verified using the chi-square test. Based on the survey results, workers who use home offices feel isolated and prefer a combined form of work; they lack social contact, which reflects negatively on their mental health. The combined form of work also significantly impacts the sustainability of work productivity. The study recommends that organizations ensure work-life balance, understanding the particular generations working within the home office.