JOB SATISFACTION IN THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR UNDER TECHNOLOGICAL AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSITIONS: A GLOBAL BIBLIOMETRIC REVIEW

Abstract

This paper presents a bibliometric review of scholarly work on job satisfaction in the automotive sector, framed by technological change and sustainability transitions. An initial Scopus search covering 2011–2025 returned 238 records; following systematic screening to remove duplicates, non-relevant items, and incomplete entries, the dataset was refined to 122 publications for analysis. Through the use of VOSviewer software for bibliometric mapping and network studies, the intellectual structure of the area was examined through thematic progression, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence. The findings reveal emerging clusters that reflect current concerns: reskilling and upskilling for automation, psychosocial risks associated with digitalization, green jobs and sustainable mobility, and the role of digital HRM practices. They also highlight the key authors, journals, and nations influencing research on workplace well-being in automotive contexts. The analysis also highlights temporal shifts in focus, showing increasing attention to AI, Industry 4.0 technologies, and environmental sustainability in recent years. By synthesizing these patterns, the review identifies key knowledge gaps and proposes directions for future research and policy that bridge technological, environmental, and socio-economic perspectives. The findings aim to support academics, industry practitioners, and policymakers in designing evidence-based strategies to manage workforce transitions while maintaining and enhancing employee satisfaction in a rapidly transforming automotive landscape.