Criteria and Guidelines for Human-Centered Work Design in a Digitally Transformed World of Work: Findings from a...

Area of Science:

• Work and organizational psychology
• Human-computer interaction
• Digital transformation studies

Background:

• Digital transformation is rapidly altering work tasks and environments.
• Established work design criteria may no longer be sufficient for contemporary workplaces.
• The need for updated guidelines for humane work design in the digital era is growing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the adequacy of existing work design criteria in the context of digitalization.
• To identify and define new criteria and guidelines for the humane design of work.
• To ensure work design supports human well-being amidst increasing digital integration.

Main Methods:

• A multistage consensus process involving interdisciplinary experts.
• Expert workshop utilizing nominal group and focus group techniques.
• Real-time Delphi study, content analysis, and a five-stage peer comment process.

Main Results:

• Identification of 13 new criteria and 38 design guidelines for human-centered work.
• Established criteria show new dynamics or require digitization-sensitive adaptation.
• Emergence of novel criteria directly necessitated by digital transformation.

Conclusions:

• Existing work design frameworks need significant updates to address digitalization.
• New criteria and guidelines are essential for humane work in digital transformation.
• Enhanced interconnection across work system levels is crucial in the digital era.