Kevin Groves, Jaclyn Margolis, and Cristina Gibson: Protecting Employee Dignity Amid Digital Transformation

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School faculty members Kevin S. Groves, Jaclyn Margolis, and Cristina Gibson have co-authored a timely and impactful article titled "Cultivating the Experience of Dignity at Work During Digital Transformation: Protective & Proactive Strategies for Leaders and Organizations." Published in Organizational Dynamics, the article delves into how digital transformation technologies—like robotics, generative AI, and large language models—are reshaping the modern workplace, often challenging employees' sense of value and dignity.

As companies increasingly adopt digital tools that automate both routine and creative tasks, employees across all levels face heightened concerns about their self-worth and job security. The study highlights the urgent need for leaders to implement strategies that safeguard employee dignity in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Drawing on extensive research, the authors provide executives, HR professionals, and management teams with evidence-based strategies to protect and enhance employee dignity. The article introduces two types of mechanisms: protective strategies, which focus on policies and processes to shield employees from the negative impacts of digital transformation, and proactive strategies, which emphasize practices that foster a sense of purpose and value at work.

The research underscores that by prioritizing the experience of dignity, organizations can not only support employee well-being but also drive engagement and productivity during periods of significant change. This pioneering work offers a roadmap for leaders aiming to balance technological advancements with the human side of business, ensuring that digital transformation efforts enhance rather than undermine the workplace experience.

The full article is available through Organizational Dynamics.