Sabine Waschull
University of Groningen (The Netherlands)

Abstract:

Many factories are currently undergoing a digital transformation in light of smart manufacturing. This digitalization does not only strongly alter manufacturing practices, but also tends to change the work of a diverse set of employees. Yet, practitioners and researchers largely focus on the technical possibilities and the performance effects of digitalization, thereby failing to address why and how it changes work. This seminar provides insights from an in-depth case study project in which we explored the role of managers involved in the adoption of digital technologies, including their motivation, ability and opportunity to change work. We found that managers did not perceive the opportunity exists to consider work design as a mechanism to mediate the effects of digitalization on white and blue-collar work. This is explained by (1) the managers’ limited knowledge of the concept and practice of work design, and (2) the managers’ motivation of demonstrating the improvement of operational performance objectives, thereby neglecting work design related issues.

Sabine Waschull is a PhD candidate at the Department of Operations, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen (The Netherlands). Her primary research interests center on social and technical aspects related to the digitalization of factories, including topics such as Manufacturing Execution Systems, information systems and work design.

Please click here to register.

Venue
Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering
Building B26/B – Room 3.23 – third floor
Via Lambruschini 4/B, Milano