The aim of the research activities is to explore forward-looking concepts for human-centered, IT-supported assembly design and to transfer these to practical application in the design field of human-technology-organization (research agenda).

This takes up the objectives of the "Industry 4.0" initiative and puts them into practice. Holistic socio-technical research and development of processes
and development of processes, methods and tools for the human-centered design of production systems is indispensable in order to make optimal use of the advantages of Industrie 4.0.
Against this background, the main topics of the planned research projects are:

The research focus is oriented towards the further development of industrial engineering into "advanced industrial engineering". In particular, the possibilities of increasingly IT-supported networking for human-centered work design through individualizable and context-based interaction as well as the orientation towards adaptable production structures are the focus here.

Research Agenda

Research Agenda HCCPPAS

„FUTURE OF WORK“ – Human-Machine Interaction“

Work as a purpose and source of income is one of the cornerstones of stable societies in Europe. Competitive, secure and healthy jobs are a long-term design goal for science, companies and politics.
Against this background, we investigate labor-relevant change currents and anticipate their future effects. We try to understand change drivers in their dynamics and dimensions, to classify the possible effects in internal and external discourse, and to help shape the work of the future. To this end, we look at developments and implementation options for production work and production-related knowledge work in the following dimensions:

  • Work task: impact of changing market requirements, new technological developments, organizational innovations and demographic changes
  • Work activities and division of labor: shifts due to global competition as well as technology innovations and their effects in terms of relocation, substitution and supplementation of human activities by automation and digitalization
  • Workplace: Design of stationary, temporary and mobile workplaces and work locations in consideration of the design goals of humanization and rationalization.
  • Work tools: conceptualization, design and integration of physical and cognitive assistance systems and evaluation of their added value for companies, employees and society
  • Work organization: Application of flexible and IT-supported organizational structures and processes while safeguarding the operational and personal interests of employees (work-life integration, privacy)
  • Competence development: development of future work profiles and development of operational and cross-operational skills, curricula and methods for competence development
  • Leadership: Designing new leadership formats and methods, taking into account the consequences of new division of labor and changed organizational forms

In conducting our research and teaching, we are:

  • committed to the principles of work design in the area of conflict between humanization and rationalization,
  • innovative in the application of methods and technologies,
  • focused on socially relevant issues when selecting research topics,
  • independent, non-partisan and balanced with regard to positioning in alternative directions for the future,
  • unconventional, bold and experimental.

The future of work is being shaped today and will only be visible in a few years. Innovative, balanced and responsible implementation ensures competitiveness and enables satisfied and healthy employees in Austria.