Digitalization and Turkey

1. Digitalization and Turkey
The fast pace and exponential nature of technological developments have remarkable
consequences that increasingly affect our lives. Today, we have greater possibilities than ever
before to reach out information and knowledge. As the technology becomes more cost-
effective and more accessible, individuals keep informed faster and easier of what is
happening around the world. With this new and striking phenomenon, people are more
sophisticated and aware ever before through this information overload. However, not all the
outcomes of technological progress serve in the same way. There are also relatively adverse
results of technological improvements, especially concerning the nature of work.
Technological advancements lead to not only greater accessibility and easier availability but
also improved ability to collect and process huge amounts of data. This is accomplished
through a lot of sensors and advanced computer systems. Smart wristbands monitoring your
pulse instantly and continuously are good examples from the daily life. Reflection of this
phenomenon in the work environment leads us to the concept of automation. With the help
of processing huge amounts of data collected via sensors, some tasks, especially those that
are routine and do not require much skill, can be automated with little or no human
intervention. About half of the job activities can theoretically be automated, at least for now,
in this way [1].
It is obvious that such a trend will adversely affect most the workforce that rather rely more
on physical power and relatively less on cognitive skills and/or qualifications. And apparently,
this will pose even worse outcomes and impacts for developing countries since much of the
work in these countries is relatively unskilled, repetitive, and labor-intensive [2].
From this point of view, Turkey as a developing country has to attach adequate importance to
this phenomenon of digital transformation because according to the 2018 data of
International Labour Organization, the share of managers, professionals, and technicians – all
of which are less likely under the risk of automation- in the employment is less than 25 %.
[1][3]. Therefore, it is an upcoming challenge for Turkey that must be at the top of the national
agenda.
Here comes into the play the importance of retraining and upskilling existing workforce. After
a comprehensive needs analysis, workers, especially and primarily those employed in low and
medium technology SMEs, must be retrained sufficiently. This may be done through on-the-
job training or distant learning considering any possible objections by employers about loss of
working time. Universities should get actively involved in these retraining efforts.
In addition, curriculum in the education system should be revised in line with the
requirements and necessities of digitalization. Vocational schools are particularly important in
this aspect since graduates of vocational schools like machine operators are more exposed to
the risk of automation. Students in these schools should be taught more about digital concepts
such as artificial intelligence, big data, coding, and robotics. And they should be enabled and
encouraged to do internship in good practice companies regarding digitalization. In a similar

2. manner, teachers and trainers in these schools must be digitally literate and have a good grasp
of related concepts. Thus, it might be a good starting point to first retrain the trainers.
In conclusion, in order to keep up with the latest and most disruptive industrial revolution,
Turkey highly needs quick and comprehensive actions and measures. And, retraining and
upskilling existing workforce and revising education system are crucial dimensions in
managing the transformation socially and economically.
[1] https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/jobs-lost-jobs-gained-
what-the-future-of-work-will-mean-for-jobs-skills-and-wages
[2] https://thriveglobal.com/stories/why-developing-countries-will-be-left-behind-by-
automation/
[3] https://www.ilo.org/global/statistics-and-databases/statistics-overview-and-
topics/employment/lang--en/index.htm