Introducing digital technologies in the factory: determinants of blue-collar workers’ attitudes towards new robotic tools

In the context of blue-collar work, digital technologies and robotic systems are introduced at a rapid speed. However, employees are not always motivated to adopt such new technologies. Thus, it is essential to understand the drivers of employees’ attitudes towards new technology at work (e.g. their enthusiasm about new technology or their insecurity or resistance to change). The present study examines (actual and desired) work characteristics as a predictor of attitudes towards new technology in blue-collar work. Results from a correlational study among blue-collar workers (<i>N</i> = 127) showed that work characteristics among blue-collar workers could be divided into three dimensions, namely, work enrichment, work demands, and task identity. These correlated with attitudes towards a to-be-implemented new technology (here, robotic system): As expected, desired work demands correlated with greater technology enthusiasm, whereas a lack of actual work enrichment predicted technology-based job insecurity. Work characteristics were unrelated to user resistance to change. The findings suggest that how workers evaluate their current work, and how much they are (dis)satisfied with it, predicts attitudes towards new technology. This research adds to the knowledge about attitudes towards new technology in blue-collar work. Practical implications for the implementation of technologies in blue-collar work are discussed.

在蓝领工作场景中，数字技术与机器人系统正以极快的速度得到引入与部署。然而，员工往往并不具备足够的动力去采纳此类新技术。因此，厘清员工对工作中新技术的态度的影响因素（例如其对新技术的热情、技术相关的工作不安全感或变革抗拒心理）至关重要。本研究以（实际与理想）工作特征为预测变量，探究其对蓝领群体工作中新技术接受态度的影响。本研究针对N=127名蓝领工人开展了相关研究，结果显示蓝领群体的工作特征可划分为三个维度：工作丰富化（work enrichment）、工作需求（work demands）与任务同一性（task identity）。上述三个维度均与即将部署的新技术（本研究中指机器人系统）的接受态度存在显著关联：正如预期，理想工作需求与更高的技术热情呈正相关，而实际工作丰富化程度不足则可预测更高的技术相关工作不安全感。但工作特征与使用者的变革抗拒心理并无显著关联。本研究结果表明，员工对当前工作的评价及其工作满意度（或不满程度）可有效预测其对新技术的接受态度。本研究丰富了蓝领工作场景下新技术接受态度的相关研究认知。文末还探讨了蓝领工作场景中技术落地的实践启示。