The Strategic Transformation of Gray-Collar Workers in the Context of Industry 5.0 and Digitalization

This study aims to examine the position of gray-collar workers in the labor market, their roles, and their functions within organizational structures within the framework of digital transformation and Industry 5.0. Throughout industrial revolutions, production systems, working methods, and labor processes have continuously transformed; particularly with the proliferation of automation, artificial intelligence, big data, and digital technologies, the traditional blue-collar and white-collar distinction has become increasingly inadequate. In this environment of transformation, gray-collar workers, who can use technical, cognitive, and managerial skills together, are emerging as strategic actors who bridge the gap between production and management processes. Within this scope of the research, national and international academic studies published between 2009 and 2025 that focused on the relationship between digitalization, automation, and the labor market were analyzed using a systematic literature review method. In the literature, gray-collar workers are defined as hybrid actors and expert technicians who play critical roles in high-tech processes. The research reveals that digitalization is increasingly replacing routine and standardized tasks, while the demand for workers possessing both technical and cognitive competencies is rising. Despite their pivotal role in bridging production processes and management tiers, gray-collar workers are often relegated to a secondary position in human resource policies. In this regard, the study emphasizes the critical necessity of developing comprehensive human resource management strategies that center on gray-collar workers, support lifelong learning, and strengthen sustainable employment, based on Industry 5.0's human-centered approach. Keywords: Gray-collar workers, digital transformation, Industry 5.0, labor market, human resources management