Rapid technological development calls for new thinking on learning and work-related well-being

What happens to employees’ work-related well-being when competence requirements change in step with rapid technological transformation? Photo: Teknikföretagen.

– Manufacturing industries and other sectors face challenges in creating effective learning practices that also safeguard employees' work-related well-being. These are complex issues that we explore through the interdisciplinary research project Co-WORK 5.0, says Amin Nasaji, PhD student at University West.

The skills required of employees are changing as industry transforms towards increasingly digitalised and automated production. New machinery, software and ways of working mean that companies must continuously invest in competence development. Industry 5.0 is an agenda for future industry that places people, sustainability and resilience at the centre, rather than focusing solely on automation and efficiency.

– Learning can be experienced both positively and negatively. New knowledge requirements may be stressful for some employees and stimulating for others. Companies must address multiple aspects when planning and implementing competence development initiatives, says Amin.

– At the same time, employers offering good development opportunities and a sustainable work environment can create attractive workplaces that support recruitment and encourage employees to stay. Given industry's substantial need for new skills and recruitment of staff, having a solid strategy for competence development and work-related health can be highly valuable, according to Amin.

Three companies with shared challenges

Scania, Södra Skogsägarna and InLead Automation participate in the research project. The three companies differ in terms of operations, size and organisational structure.

– Although the companies differ and have varying needs and approaches to learning, they also share many common challenges, says Kristina Areskoug Josefsson, Amin's supervisor.

– These companies are committed to supporting their employees and ensuring sustainable and good work-related health. This includes managing technological transformation and competence development in a sustainable way, with employees at the centre. Through this project, the companies want to understand how to act to achieve this, says Kristina.

Survey on employees' experiences

Together, the companies and researchers will identify and analyse what is required to shape and connect employee learning and work-related well-being in an industrial context. This autumn, a survey is planned to be conducted among company employees to gain insights into how they experience learning, demands and opportunities at the workplace.

One of the participating companies is InLead Automation, a rapidly growing technology company based in Anderstorp with just over 30 employees.

– We develop automation solutions for the manufacturing industry. Our entire business depends on our employees' expertise and our ability to adopt advanced new technologies. We recruit several new employees every year and continuously expand the company's knowledge base, says Jonas Bülow, Sales Manager at InLead Automation.

"It is essential that our employees feel well"

– Demand for our services is high, and balancing customer needs with employee well-being is challenging. This creates pressure throughout the organisation. To continue growing and developing, it is absolutely essential that our employees feel well and enjoy working here, says Jonas.

– It is important to us that employees feel seen and listened to. By participating in this project, we hope to learn how to create structures for our processes, develop strategies that work in the long term, and improve how we assess and evaluate employee well-being.

Jonas also highlights the value of exchanging experiences with the other participating companies.

– I look forward to open discussions where we can better understand and learn from our shared challenges. Even though we are three very different companies with different conditions, I believe we can inspire one another.

Broad research team

For Amin, who is conducting his doctoral studies within the project, the project work is particularly interesting for several reasons.

– My background is in psychology, and I have previously worked with issues related to leadership, occupational and organisational psychology, and work environment management in various workplaces, says Amin.

– In this project, I also collaborate with a broad research team that brings together expertise in business administration, health sciences and production technology. Together with the companies' experience and expertise, this creates excellent conditions for successful co-production.

Contact:

Amin Nasaji, PhD Student in Work-Integrated Learning, Department of Health Sciences, University West

Facts

• Co-WORK 5.0 is one of the Jubilee Doctoral Projects funded by the Knowledge Foundation (KK Foundation) and runs from 2025 to 2029.
• The project brings together Industrial Work-Integrated Learning and work-related well-being. It is conducted within the research field of Industrial Work-Integrated Learning, which is part of Primus, University West's research environment.
• The project is based on the principles of Industry 5.0, where smart technologies are combined with human needs to create a more sustainable and human-centred industry.
• In addition to Amin Nasaji, the project team includes Professor Kristina Areskoug Josefsson, Professor Anna Karin Olsson, and Associate Professor Kristina Eriksson, all at University West.
   

At University West, we conduct research in collaboration with the surrounding world to create a better future.