Identifying worker needs and organizational responses in implementing knowledge work tools in manufacturing

This paper discusses the recent changes of the working world through an exploratory study of recent academic literature on the implications of the knowledge work trend for the workers in manufacturing industry. Manufacturing industry needs to offer new perceptions of production work – and redeem the made promises. Introducing knowledge work tools to shop-floor production workers can have several motivations, such as improving employee productivity and improving competence management through increasing learning and collaboration at work, empowering employees, and increasing employee satisfaction. However, many changes in the work environment call for fundamental changes in attitudes and management of production work, which makes it challenging to identify those tools and mechanisms that allow matching the worker needs and firm-level competence management. Therefore, the aim of this study is to address the changes in working environments, and see how implementing knowledge work tools can be harnessed for reaching favorable outcomes and optimal alignment.