Conditions that foster workers' experience and development in technological transitions

Area of Science:

• Industrial Engineering
• Organizational Psychology
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Growing emphasis on user involvement, including operators, throughout technology introduction.
• Common practice of involving operators late, primarily through reskilling, rather than early integration.
• Need to understand challenges in mobilizing operator experience during technological transitions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze a technological transition in an inbound warehouse.
• To understand challenges in mobilizing workers' experience during this process.
• To explore potential operator activities in Industry 4.0 (I4.0) environments.

Main Methods:

• Employed qualitative and participatory methodologies.
• Utilized analysis of work activity.
• Focused on anticipating emergent activities and skill development in Industry 4.0 contexts.

Main Results:

• Operators were involved only during the implementation phase.
• No formal skill development initiatives were linked to the new technology.
• Situational factors, especially collective work dynamics and leadership, positively influenced the perception of success.

Conclusions:

• Intentional incorporation of identified success factors (e.g., teamwork, leadership) is recommended for future projects.
• These factors can support the sustainability of work situations.
• Promoting continued worker skill development in the face of technological change is crucial.