scholarly journals The Promotion of Technology Acceptance and Work Engagement in Industry 4.0: From Personal Resources to Information and Training

Author(s):  
Monica Molino ◽  
Claudio G. Cortese ◽  
Chiara Ghislieri

Thanks to the rapid advances of technology, we are currently experiencing the fourth industrial revolution, which is introducing several changes in how organizations operate and how people learn and do their work. Many questions arise within this framework about how these transformations may affect workers’ wellbeing, and the Work and Organizational Psychology is called upon to address these open issues. This study aims to investigate personal and organizational antecedents (resilience, goal orientation and opportunities for information and training) and one consequence (work engagement) of technology acceptance within factories, comparing white- and blue-collar workers. The study involved a sample of 598 workers (white-collar = 220, blue-collar = 378) employed at an Italian company who filled in a self-report questionnaire. In both samples, the multi-group structural equation model showed a positive relationship between resilience, opportunities for information and training, and technology acceptance, which in turn showed a positive association with work engagement. All indirect effects were significant. This study investigated the motivational dynamics related to the introduction of new technologies within factories involving the little-studied population of blue-collar workers. Results highlighted the importance of providing information and opportunities for training to all employees, in order to support Industry 4.0 transformations without impacting on workers’ motivation.

Author(s):  
Julian Decius ◽  
Niclas Schaper ◽  
Andreas Seifert

AbstractWe investigated informal workplace learning (IWL) within an under-researched target group: blue-collar workers. IWL is particularly important for these workers because of learning barriers to participation in formal training. Based on meta-analytical conceptualizations and findings, we developed a conceptual framework of antecedents, processes, and learning outcomes of IWL among blue-collar workers (APO framework), following an input-process-output perspective. The results of our structural equation model analysis with N = 702 blue-collar workers from small and medium-sized businesses provided support for seven of eight hypotheses: Personal antecedents, namely curiosity, learning goal orientation, and self-directed learning orientation were positively related to IWL; organizational antecedents, namely social support—containing supervisor support, coworker support, and error-related learning climate—and, surprisingly, time pressure were positively related to IWL; IWL was positively related to three learning outcomes, namely job involvement, newly acquired competency, and organizational citizenship behavior. The findings establish a basis for future longitudinal studies and theory building in workplace learning research, and they provide managers in organizations with guidance to promote IWL.


2004 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilmar B. Schaufeli ◽  
Arnold B. Bakker

Work Engagement: The measurement of a concept Work Engagement: The measurement of a concept Wilmar B. Schaufeli & Arnold B. Bakker, Gedrag & Organisatie, volume 17, April 2004, nr. 2, pp 89-112. The first part of this article reviews research on work engagement, a concept that has recently been introduced as the antipode of burnout. Engaged workers are vigorous and dedicated, and totally absorbed by their work. Typically, research on work engagement uses the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), which psychometric qualities seem to be confirmed by numerous (inter)national studies. However, a more detailed and systematic study on psychometric qualities of UWES has not yet been performed. Therefore, the second part of this article discusses the results of UWES analyses, performed on a database consisting of almost 10.000 Dutch speaking (i.e. Dutch and Flemish) workers. The study shows that the three subscales of the UWES (i.e. vigor, dedication and absorption) are sufficiently internally consistent and that the three-factor structure fits the data better than the alternative one-factor structure. Nevertheless, the three subscales are highly interrelated. Although weaker than expected, the subscales of the UWES correlate negatively with those of the UBOS (Utrecht Burnout Scale), the Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Furthermore, scores on the UWES are significantly and positively correlated with age; male and Flemish employees feel more engaged than female and Dutch employees, respectively; and some professional groups (e.g. managers) score higher on work engagement than other groups (e.g. blue collar workers). However, although statistically significant, practically speaking these differences are irrelevant. Hence, no age, gender, occupation or nation specific UWES-norms are presented. It is concluded that the 15-item UWES – of which also a 9-item shortened version exists – is a reliable and valid self-report tool to measure the concept of work engagement.


Author(s):  
Siti Salwa Sheikh Mokhtar ◽  
Anuar Shah Bali Mahomed ◽  
Yuhanis Abdul Aziz ◽  
Suhaimi Ab. Rahman

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are commonly perceived as an essential part of boosting and stabilizing global economic growth. In 2018, SMEs recorded a 38.3% contribution to GDP of RM521.7 billion compared to RM491.2 billion in 2017. SMEs are expected to contribute 50% to Malaysia's GDP by 2030 relative to its present 38% contribution. However, in the context of Malaysia businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are still not embracing the latest technology revolution sufficiently, as reported by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (2018). Malaysia is currently in the third industrial revolution (automation), and some are still under the second industrial revolution. Such matter is worrying as only a few industries in Malaysia can adopt pillars of Industry 4.0, where business owners in Malaysia were still hesitant to embrace technologies such as the cloud. To bridge the gap in this analysis, this research adopted the technology acceptance model developed by Davis (1989) and Rogers' Diffusion Innovation Theory (1995), which incorporates the contexts of technology and innovation among SMEs in Malaysia. By using survey questionnaires, data was collected among manufacturing and services SMEs in Malaysia. Structural equation model employed to assess the important factors of innovation in adopting cloud computing among SMEs in Malaysia by using Smart-PLS. Keywords: Cloud computing, Industry 4.0, Innovation, Technological


Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 532
Author(s):  
María de los Ángeles Pérez-Sánchez ◽  
Zhuowei Tian ◽  
Almudena Barrientos-Báez ◽  
José Gómez-Galán ◽  
Hanliang Li

Remarkable changes have taken in social operation mode and consumers’ behavior mode because of the foot ban during the pandemic spread of COVID-19. Digital technologies such as Blockchain have shown potential in gaining competitive advantages for enterprises in such situations. This study aims to provide an insight into how to gain consumer loyalty through the use of modern and efficient Blockchain technology. In contrast to the current literature, this study combined the technology acceptance model of planned behavior theory, social exchange theory to explain the loyalty of an online travel agency (OTA) consumer. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from citizens in Hangzhou, a city full of technological innovation atmosphere. Using structural equation modeling with SmartPLS©, responses from 1403 citizens were analyzed. Social norm was discovered to have a positive and significant association with the consumers’ attitude toward technology and thus enhancing the perceived usability and hedonism of OTA application, which can increase consumer loyalty. The findings suggested OTAs may gain consumers’ loyalty through adopting Blockchain technology, and local governments have played a key role in creating such an environment. New technologies have become essential professional and social tools for society. The technological environment and Blockchain within the tourism sector are fundamental elements of China’s economic engine.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Kohnová ◽  
Ján Papula ◽  
Nikola Salajová

Radical changes resulting from the Fourth Industrial Revolution strongly affect industrialized European countries. In particular, due to the new technologies that are characteristic of Industry 4.0, it will be essential for companies to make the necessary changes and achieve competitiveness through the implementation of these technologies. In order for companies to be able to make radical changes and innovations, they need to secure all the supporting areas in their organization. This research paper is focused on comparison of companies from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and Switzerland in the context of readiness for Industry 4.0. This research was part of a research project, while data were collected in the period of 2015–2016. We have analysed companies from selected countries based on 7 areas which are closely interconnected with the business transformation and technology transformation coming from Industry 4.0. The main analysed questions focused on areas such as employee education and training, organizational culture, strategy, or organizational processes, that will be most affected by radical changes in the environment. Research has highlighted the differences between countries as a result of long-standing cultural differences, but at the same time identified the unified influence of the ongoing global debate on the need for technological innovation. With Slovak and Czech companies being below stronger innovators in the maturity of education systems, we strongly advise considering partnering in education which can bring valuable information to businesses that want to take on the wave of innovation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihye Oh ◽  
Daeyeon Cho ◽  
Doo Hun Lim

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating effect of practicing core values on the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement in a Korean corporate environment. Design/methodology/approach Self-report data on authentic leadership, practicing core values, and work engagement were obtained from 281 employees of three major corporations in South Korea. Structural equation modeling was adopted to analyze the data. Findings The results revealed a direct and significant influence of authentic leadership on both practicing core values and work engagement. In addition, practicing core values was found to have a partial mediating effect on the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement. Research limitations/implications This study revealed a three-factor model of authentic leadership compared to the four-factor model found in western cultural contexts. Similar findings are indicated for other Asian countries. A rigorous future study is warranted to validate the psychometric structure across different cultural settings. Harman’s single factor test was performed to address the common method variance issue. Practical implications Practicing core values functioned as a catalyst for developing authentic leaders. Therefore, it is necessary that organizational development practitioners perform developmental activities to purposefully facilitate practicing core values. Originality/value The study falls under the isolated or disregarded researched topic of the practicing core values in relation to authentic leadership and work engagement.


Author(s):  
Laila Meiliyandrie Indah Wardani ◽  
Rahmat Firmansyah

Abstract — The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of employee engagement and burnout on the perception of work-life balance, particularly on blue-collar workers.  The study sample comprised of 91 employees of the production section (blue-collar workers) in a multinational company in Jababeka-Cikarang. Sampling was carried out using a stratified technique of proportional approach.  The instruments used in this study are The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS), and Work-Life Balance Scale. The study used primary data collection through survey method and secondary data from the company for analysis. Multiple regression analysis showed that employee engagement and burnout influence participants’ perceptions on work-life balance. The result indicates that employee engagement and burnout explained 17.6 percent on the variability of participants’ perceived work-life balance.Abstrak — Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui pengaruh employee engagement dan burnout terhadap work-life balance, terutama pada pekerja blue-collar. Sampel penelitian berjumlah 91 orang karyawan yang bekerja di bagian produksi (blue-collar workers) sebuah perusahaan multinasional di Jababeka-Cikarang. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan menggunakan teknik stratified sampling dan pendekatan proposional. Instrumen yang digunakan untuk pengukuran employee engagement adalah Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS), dan Work-Life Balance Scale. Data yang akan digunakan untuk analisis merupakan data primer yang diperoleh melalui metode survei dan data sekunder dari perusahaan. Hasil analisa regresi berganda menunjukkan adanya pengaruh yang positif antara employee engagement dan burnout terhadap work-life balance. Employee engagement dan burnout berkontribusi sebesar 17.6 persen terhadap varians skor persepsi work-life balance partisipan.


Author(s):  
Giulia Paganin ◽  
Silvia Simbula

Organizations are interested in finding new and more effective ways to promote the well-being of their workers, to help their workers manage work-related stress. New technologies (e.g., smartphones) are cheaper, allow more workers to be reached, and guarantee their anonymity. However, not all employees agree on the use of new technological interventions for the promotion of well-being. Consequently, organizations need to investigate technological acceptance before introducing these tools. By considering the technology acceptance model (TAM) framework, we investigate both the influence of workers’ perceived usefulness and ease of use on their intentions to use apps that help them managing work stress. Moreover, we contribute to the extension of this model by considering both personal (i.e., self-efficacy, personal innovativeness) and organizational (i.e., organizational support for innovation) variables. Our research involved 251 participants who completed an online self-report questionnaire. The results confirm the central hypothesis of the TAM and the influence of other variables that could influence acceptance of new technologies, such as apps that help manage work stress, and the intentions to use them. These results could help organizations ensure technological acceptance and usage by their workers, increasing the effectiveness of new technologies and interventions to promote well-being.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 529-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Cillo ◽  
Alexeis Garcia-Perez ◽  
Manlio Del Giudice ◽  
Francesca Vicentini

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between employees’ knowledge and organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach Using a structural equation model, feedback received from 237 blue-collar workers from multinational high-tech manufacturing enterprises in Italy was studied to understand, from a dynamic capabilities perspective, the role of soft skills in the career success of production workers. Findings The results of the analysis indicate a positive relationship between workers’ commitment to develop their soft skills and their career success, as well as a positive relationship between an organisation’s approach to both knowledge exploration and knowledge exploitation and the prospects for career success of blue-collar workers. Research limitations/implications The research has both theoretical and practical implications, as any efforts by researchers and practitioners to find effective ways to motivate the workforce will be likely to lead to a positive attitude towards learning and, ultimately, to improved business performance. Originality/value The originality of the paper is the focus on the personality and interpersonal attributes of workforce – blue-collar workers – and how they can affect business performance in highly innovative contexts.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erasmo Miranda Bojórquez ◽  
Osslan Osiris Vergara Villegas ◽  
Vianey Guadalupe Cruz Sánchez ◽  
Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz ◽  
Jesús Favela Vara

This paper presents the results of a study applied to undergraduates in order to know how the cultural dimensions affect their perceptions of the acceptance and use of new technologies in a student-centered learning environment. A total of 85 undergraduate students from the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico (UAIM) participated in the study. Each student was asked to use a mobile augmented reality (MAR) application designed to learn Mayo language (language spoken in Northwestern Mexico). Afterwards, the students responded to a survey with items concerning the use and technology acceptance and about cultural dimensions of individualism and uncertainty avoidance. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data collected from students. Results provide evidence that the individualism contributes positively to perceived ease of use of the MAR app, and uncertainty avoidance has no impact. The findings showed that the MAR system could be easily used if it includes a natural way to promote collaborative work. In addition, to gain the trust of students, the uncertainty avoidance needs to be reduced by enriching the help information offered for app use.


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