Digital skilling of working adults: a systematic review

Abstract

Rapid development of artificial intelligence applications and widespread digital transformation are driving the need for employees to learn digital skills. The body of research on digital skills that working professionals need to thrive in an uncertain and ever-evolving workforce is fast accumulating. Although there have been literature reviews on the nature and types of such digital skills, an integrative overview of how digital skills are acquired remains lacking. This systematic literature review seeks to close the gap by focusing on digital skilling. A total of 39 journal articles published between January 2010 and June 2022 were identified using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. Based on thematic coding of the articles, eleven digital skilling approaches were identified and conceptually organized into four categories. Findings regarding the contextual factors affecting digital skilling and impacts of digital skilling indicate an emerging framework of digital skilling. Emerging interests and opportunities for future research related to virtual worlds, learning analytics, and blockchain are discussed.