The impact of digitalization and organizational changes on older workers' insecurity in the finance sector in Sweden and Czechia

Introduction: There are still knowledge gaps relating to the interaction between digitalization, organizational changes, and the aging of the workforce. This study examines the impact of digitalization on older workers in the financial sector in Sweden and the Czechia. The experience of digitalization by older workers in different countries and labor market sectors, and its fostering of insecurity and precarity through technostress, feelings of inefficacy and uncertain futures, is understudied. Methods: Through interviews with men and women aged 50-64 who are employed in financial institutions in the Czechia and Sweden, the research explores organizational changes, including outsourcing and agile management, and their impact on the experiences of older workers at work. Results: The findings reveal key differences in ongoing changes between the two countries, such as the prominence of agile management in Sweden and the absence of outsourcing in the Czechia. Despite these variations, digitalization narratives are remarkably similar, reflecting an international emphasis on efficiency and competitiveness. The study illustrates that digitalization can create precarious working conditions for older employees, including technostress, feelings of ineffectiveness and insecurity, and uncertainty about the future. Discussion: The results emphasize the need for temporal analyzes and consideration of national conditions when understanding the multifaceted consequences of digitalization for the older workforce. Overall, the paper highlights the similarities and differences in organizational opportunities and challenges within and across national labor market contexts, providing valuable contributions to the ongoing academic debate on aging and digitalization in the workplace.