Digital transformation of work: “We have to ‘engineer’ employees’ enthusiasm”

Munich, 23 November 2023

A turning point in the working world? At the #FutureWorkDebatte on 15 November, representatives from the fields of science and economy discussed the recently developed hypothesis from acatech’s Human Resources Working Group which handles the effects of the current developments on the working world. The conclusion at the end of the discussion: more people-centricity is needed for the digital transformation of work.

These times are dynamic: defossilisation, demographic change, deglobalisation and digitalisation are putting more and more pressure on the German economy. “If we want to remain economically strong and prosperous, we must shape these times of change,” demanded acatech Executive Board member and Human Resources Working Group co-host Frank Riemensperger in his introductory speech at #FutureWorkDebatte on 15 November. The digital transformation of the working world, above all, has to be rethought: “First, we have to ‘engineer’ employees’ enthusiasm and only then can we start on the processes and technologies,” said Frank Riemensperger.

Verena Nitsch, chairholder and Director of the Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics (IAW) at RWTH Aachen University, concurred and against this backdrop, demanded that when introducing new technologies into companies, the perspective of the employees be more strongly considered. “People-centric approaches to workplace design” are in high demand and employees must be involved in the change process from an early stage – then the excitement needed for a successful digital transformation can ensue, even in light of hotly discussed technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The fact that AI and other digital technologies will lead to additional major changes in the working world is undisputed. This was also emphasised by Bernd Fitzenberger, Director of the Institute for Employment Research (IAB): “More and more tasks can be automated with the help of modern technologies. This initially affected routine tasks, but today also involves more complex actions. Men have potentially been more effected by this to date than women.” Technological progress can also provide an opportunity: many employees will be leaving the workplace due to age, and technologies can help to keep up productivity levels despite this development.

These positive effects on productivity, and on the German economy in general, only ensue when companies also create the respective culture – a culture in which trusting collaboration between business partners is possible, and where HR management and employees are encouraged to push ahead with the digital transformation and serve as role models for change. This is what Corinna Schittenhelm, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Relations Director at Schaeffler AG, calls for.

At the end of the discussion, moderator Frank Riemensperger concluded: “The status quo is not an option. One lever alone won’t make it. We have to pull all levers at the same time and need a joint effort by all stakeholders – companies, politics, participants and society.”