Mario Löhrer

Soziotechnische Assistenzsysteme für die Produktionsarbeit in der Textilbranche

Die Entwicklung hin zu Industrie 4.0 basiert in erster Linie auf modernen Produktionsmaschinen in Verbindung mit digitalen Technologien. Diesem Trend folgend werden der Betrieb und die Entwicklung von modernen Textilmaschinen immer komplexer und erfordern komplexe Fahigkeiten und Arbeitsaufgaben des Bedienpersonals in den verschiedenen Qualifizierungsphasen. Unter dem Gesichtspunkt der zunehmenden Heterogenitat der Produktionsbelegschaft, insbesondere dem Wachstum der Gruppe der alteren Arbeitnehmer/-innen, scheint die differentiell-dynamische Arbeitsgestaltung in der Textilproduktion aktueller denn je. Die Verwendung von Assistenzsystemen ermoglicht eine altersgerechte Arbeit und qualifikationsspezifische Unterstutzung der Mitarbeiter/-innen. Diese Unterstutzung ermoglicht den Beschaftigten, ihre Berufsfahigkeit zu erhalten.

Sociotechnical Systems in the Textile Industry

Abstract This article delineates the work of an interdisciplinary research group concerning the implementation of a digital assistance system in the German textile industry. Using a holistic approach, researchers from different disciplines contribute to the design of an integrated socio-technical method that guides industrial actors in developing and implementing digital assistance systems that are applicable on the shop-floor level and at the same time take into account various social and organizational demands. Following this approach, the development of new technologies is coordinated with innovative social practices, for example, learning techniques or organizational changes. Furthermore, aspired users of the assistance system participate in the project by contributing their expertise of the working progress as well as by defining requirements essential towards addressing the various challenges at hand. The conceptual outline and early findings of the project, including the development of a prototype of the assistance system, are presented in this article.

SozioTex : an interdisciplinary research group

Being confronted with growing automation and interconnectedness of production lines as well as decreasing relevance of large scale production in favor of smaller lot sizes, the German textile industry has to face tremendous challenges: Not only the technical and economic developments, but also social factors – especially the demographic change – put manifold pressures on the industry, since the proportion of elder workers above 45 years is higher-then-average here [LKL16] and the recruiting of young skilled personnel for tasks in strenuous working conditions as weaving mills remains difficult. Hence, the task is to connect the necessity of technological innovation with existing workplace practices in order to generate new and adequate social courses of action. Obviously, this problem demands technical knowledge as well as expertise in organizational and social developments. Consequently, all these challenges and aspired changes must involve learning processes designed, initiated and accompanied by professionals.