Human work in strategic technology transitions in manufacturing

Abstract

Abstract

The swift evolution of manufacturing technology is primarily driven by business and technology-oriented needs, while the sociotechnical aspects are sidelined. This article addresses the management challenges of human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) in technology transitions commonly associated to Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 phenomenon. First, experts from 15 Finnish manufacturing companies were interviewed on the types of HF/E data collected and indicators employed in this context. Second, a scoping review was conducted to identify HF/E indicators available from the management perspective. The interviews and the reviewed literature showed that HF/E data and indicators are dominated by a risk management perspective arising from the origins of occupational health and safety. In this regard, the other side of HF/E - the system performance - is often neglected. Summing up, foundational perspectives for HF/E indicators are presented as starting points for future discussion in companies aiming to navigate fluently in strategic technology transitions.