De impact van technologie op de taken, skills en kwaliteit van de arbeid. Hoe verandert het werk van een elektro- en onderhoudsmonteur? [The impact of technology on tasks, skills and quality of work]
article
Technological developments can have major consequences for work. Insight into how these developments change work is necessary for employees to develop the required skills and to take measures against negative effects on the quality of work. In 2020-2021, we used the Technology Impact Method (TIM) to assess the consequences of technological developments on tasks, required skills and the quality of the work of engineers in the agri-food and energy network sectors. We used document analysis and interviews with technology and labour experts, (HR) managers, and engineers. The TIM analysis showed that engineers enter and use more and more data for maintenance and repair activities, and that they have to collaborate more with other disciplines, such as suppliers. The current technical skills of engineers remain important, but they also need more (basic) digital, analytical, and communication skills. Technological developments can have both a positive and negative impact on the quality of work, as they can decrease autonomy and make work simpler, but they can also increase work variety and learning opportunities. Whether the impact is positive or negative mainly depends on how companies use the technology and organize the work process. Technological determinism must be avoided at all times.
Topics
TNO Identifier
971052
Source
Tijdschrift voor Arbeidsvraagstukken, 38(2), pp. 169-191.
Pages
169-191