The world is on the verge of the fourth industrial revolution that will considerably influence society and human life. Today human being is surrounded by technological advancement and every day we face new sophisticated technological systems that affect our daily lives. The business environment is being influenced by Industry 4.0 significantly and a massive transformation in labour market can be observed. The digital economy has become a disruptive factor in several sectors and it has shown a major impact on the logistic industry in terms of workforce transformation. The question that arises is that to what extent the logistic sector is ready for the digital transformation in Industry 4.0 and what factors should be considered by industry players, governments and multi-stakeholders in order to simplify workforce transformation. This study followed a qualitative approach using Grounded Theory to explain the phenomenon of workforce transformation within the logistic sector in Industry 4.0. Furthermore, a literature review was used to explain the role of human resource management in simplification of this process .The findings show that there is a lack of adequate awareness about the impact of the digital transformation on labour. Furthermore, it discusses the role of human resource management as an agent of change in Industry 4.0. The current research presents recommendations for different stakeholders on how to prepare the current and future workforce for the upcoming changes.This study is significant in the sense that it will add to the existing literature and provide practitioners with vital information that can be used to simplify the digital transformation of logistic industry by preparing labor market.
MULTIFILE
The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the Fontys University of Professional Education in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, offers a course which is being developed around the principles of Concurrent Engineering. From research we found that in general students are not completely aware of aspects of cost-effectiveness but they are fully oriented towards technical problem solving. In order to improve on this aspects, we introduced the framework of "design to cost": learn to choose the right tools, concepts and technologies in a way that successful products can be designed and developed. This second edition of the course, based on 'design to cost', showed to be very successful and was strengthening our self-confidence. So in the third edition we started to work together with the regional industry. The companies paid for the development and, this money is used for intensive group coaching by tutors and specialists. It turned out that the contacts with the industry proved to be a very stimulating factor for the students. Working together with industry raises the quality of the education and it proved to be an excellent preparation for the final thesis period of the students.
