Main Article Content
Abstract
Technological innovations, such as automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence, have significantly changed the world of work and posed new threats to job security. Students, as a group transitioning into the professional world, face high uncertainty due to these changes. This study aims to examine the relationship between the threat of technological innovation to student job insecurity by examining the mediating role of digital literacy, personal innovation, and technological innovation. This study uses a systematic literature review method based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines to synthesize findings from relevant previous studies. Data sources were obtained from reputable international journals (Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect) and SINTA-accredited national journals published between 2018 and 2025. The selection process included the identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion of articles that met the criteria of focusing on the context of students or those transitioning to the world of work. The results of the study show that the threat of technological innovation is positively related to job insecurity, but this impact can be minimized through increased digital literacy and the development of personal and technological innovation among students. In addition, digital literacy has been proven to encourage innovation capabilities that strengthen resilience to technological disruption. The implications of this study encourage universities to integrate digital literacy curricula and innovation incubation programs as strategies to prepare graduates for the technology-based job market.
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References
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References
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice Hall. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315084645
Brougham, D., & Haar, J. (2018). Smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms (STARA): Employees’ perceptions of our future workplace. Journal of Management & Organisation, 24(2), 239–257. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2016.55
Cao, J., & Song, Z. (2025). An incoming threat: The influence of automation potential on job insecurity. Asia Pacific Journal of Business Administration, 17(1), 116–135. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJBA-07-2022-0328
Cao, Y., & Song, H. (2025). Generative AI and career uncertainty among university students in emerging economies. Computers & Education, 213, 105097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105097
Chen, L., Wang, X., & Liu, J. (2023). Digital literacy and creative innovation: Evidence from higher education students. Education and Information Technologies, 28(5), 5617–5635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11874-9
Chen, W., Huang, T., & Lee, C. (2023). Digital literacy and innovation propensity among university students: A structural model analysis. Education and Information Technologies, 28(5), 5613–5630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11721-8
Greenhalgh, L., & Rosenblatt, Z. (2023). Job insecurity: Toward conceptual clarity and integration. Journal of Vocational Behaviour, 145, 103840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2023.103840
Gupta, A., Raj, R., & Sharma, S. (2024). Digital literacy as a mediator in the relationship between technology disruption and job insecurity: Evidence from Indian universities. Asian Journal of Business Research, 14(3), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.14707/ajbr.1403
Gupta, A., Sharma, R., & Kumar, P. (2024). Digital literacy and self-efficacy among medical students: Effects on procrastination behaviour. BMC Medical Education, 24, 6329. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06329-7
Gupta, A., Shukla, A., & Dwivedi, Y. K. (2024). Digital literacy and self-efficacy in the era of artificial intelligence: Implications for students’ job readiness. Information Systems Frontiers, 26(1), 45–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-023-10384-0
Hertel, G., Zacher, H., & Kalka, D. (2020). Age, technology, and work: Current research and future directions. Work, Ageing and Retirement, 6(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/waz016
Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualising stress. American Psychologist, 44(3), 513–524. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.44.3.513
Huang, J., Wang, Y., & Chen, S. (2020). Personal innovation and stress in higher education: The moderating role of cultural context. International Journal of Innovation Studies, 4(3), 88–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2020.06.003
Hurt, H. T., Joseph, K., & Cook, C. D. (1977). Scales for the measurement of innovativeness. Human Communication Research, 4(1), 58–65. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.1977.tb00597.x
International Labour Organisation. (2023). Global employment trends 2023: Technology, automation and the future of work. Geneva: ILO. https://www.ilo.org/global/publications
Khalifa, H., & Shehata, G. (2025). Perceived threat of technological disruption, job insecurity, and turnover intention in Egypt: A replication study. Cogent Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2025.2540066
Lee, W., et al. (2020). The rise of robots increases job insecurity and maladaptive workplace outcomes. American Psychologist, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0001045
Liu, Q., & Zhang, T. (2024). Technological innovation competencies and employability of university graduates: A longitudinal analysis. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 197, 122002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122002
Liu, Y., & Zhang, H. (2024). Technological innovation and student adaptability in higher education: The mediating role of digital engagement. Frontiers in Education, 9, 120274. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.120274
Mariani, M., Borghi, M., & Cappa, F. (2021). Digital literacy and critical thinking: Implications for employability in the digital era. Computers in Human Behaviour, 122, 106847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106847
Mariani, M., Borghi, M., & Cappa, F. (2021). Digital skills and job insecurity in higher education: A cross-country perspective. Higher Education Quarterly, 75(4), 723–741. https://doi.org/10.1111/hequ.12345
Marr, B. (2025, 30 June). How is AI really impacting jobs in 2025? Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com
Ng, W. (2023). Conceptualising digital literacy for the 21st century: An updated review. Computers & Education, 190, 104635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2023.104635
Ng, W. (2023). Digital literacy and self-efficacy as predictors of students’ resilience toward technological disruptions. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 39(1), 55–72. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.7622
Ng, W. (2023). Digital literacy: Concepts and implications for education. Educational Technology Research and Development, 71(2), 567–584. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-023-10123-9
Nuruliza, I., Sari, A. P., & Kurniawan, R. (2024). The role of digital literacy in enhancing innovation through entrepreneurial skills: Evidence from Indonesian SMEs. Journal of Economics & Business Education, 12(3), 465–478. https://doi.org/10.21009/jpeb.123.46507
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., … & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Park, S., Kim, J., & Lee, H. (2022). Perceived technological threats and job insecurity among Korean college students: The role of institutional digital support. Journal of Career Development, 49(6), 1293–1307. https://doi.org/10.1177/08948453211009547
Park, S., Lee, J., & Kim, H. (2022). University students’ perceptions of AI-driven job markets: Threat or opportunity? Asia Pacific Education Review, 23(4), 723–737. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-022-09734-0
Park, Y., Han, S., & Choi, K. (2023). Creative innovation and technological adoption: Impact on job security perceptions among graduates. Journal of Vocational Behaviour, 145, 103794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2023.103794
Rahim, A., Said, Z., & Hassan, N. (2022). Technological innovation in developing economies: Barriers to reducing job insecurity. Technology in Society, 71, 102124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.102124
Rahim, N., Hassan, R., & Ibrahim, M. (2022). Technological innovation and job insecurity in developing economies: The moderating effect of infrastructure readiness. Technology in Society, 68, 101862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.101862
Salazar, R., & Llorente, M. (2021). Digital literacy and intrinsic motivation: Drivers of students’ personal innovation. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 59(8), 1499–1518. https://doi.org/10.1177/07356331211032156
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
Suharyanto, E., Nugroho, A., & Prabowo, R. (2025). Personal and technological innovation as mediators in the relationship between digital transformation and student resilience. Education and Information Technologies, 30(2), 345–362. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-11945-0
Suharyanto, T., Fadilah, R., & Prasetyo, A. (2025). Personal innovation and adaptive creativity in mitigating job insecurity among Indonesian students. Indonesian Journal of Psychology, 41(1), 33–49. https://doi.org/10.7454/jpi.v41i1.1538
Suharyanto, T., Pramudita, D., & Ramadhani, F. (2025). Digital capability and personal innovativeness: Evidence from final-year students at Telkom University. Business and Management Review International, 7(2), 88–99. https://doi.org/10.31227/osf.io/4838
Team Flow Institute Fellows. (2025). The world of work in 2025 and beyond: Major shifts in job insecurity due to automation and AI. In The World of Work in 2025 and Beyond. World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://teamflow.institute
World Economic Forum. (2024). The future of jobs report 2024. WEF. https://doi.org/10.54347/wef.futurejobs.2024
Zhou, L., Zhang, Y., & Li, W. (2025). Digital literacy and student innovation: A structural model. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1548817. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1548817
Zhou, L., Zhang, Y., & Wu, Q. (2025). Technological innovation and career readiness: Evidence from Chinese university students. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 63(2), 317–339. https://doi.org/10.1177/0735633124123456
Zhou, X., Sun, K., Zhu, K., Feng, L., Sun, Q., & Zhong, D. (2025). The impact of digital literacy on university students’ innovation capability: Evidence from Ningbo, China. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1548817. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1548817