Ethical business; how managers can contribute to secure employees’ perceived human dignity in the light of ongoing robotics and automation.
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2024-07-02
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en
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This thesis explores the impact of technological transitions on the perceived human dignity of production workers in the Netherlands. Through conducting in-depth interviews with production workers, this research aims to discover how these people perceive their dignity in the light of ongoing advances in robotics and automation, and additionally what measures can be taken by managers to secure and enhance this perceived human dignity. This research reveals that even though new robotics and automations improve efficiency and worker safety, it raises concerns for job security, relevance of competencies, and loss of meaning at work. The findings additionally suggest some key factors which influence workers’ perception of dignity, like their rationale for choosing production work, facilitating technologies and age. In an attempt to address those challenges, the thesis proposes several strategies for managers to ensure that the human dignity of their workers is maintained. Amongst more those include, providing training and education opportunities, fostering a culture of openness and care and prioritizing employee well-being. Overall, this research contributes to the field of business ethics by highlighting the importance of human dignity in the workplace and offering practical solutions for managing the human impact of automation and robotics in the manufacturing industry.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen