Companies are increasingly challenged to address shortages of skilled workers while meeting rising demands for productivity, flexibility, and innovation. Because labor supply can only be expanded to a limited extent, there is a growing focus on designing work systems with productivity in mind. Autonomous systems offer significant potential in this regard. Their implementation requires not only technical adjustments but, above all, changes in organization, skills, and work design. This article analyzes empirically grounded change requirements in existing work systems as well as associated economic potential.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 42 | 2026 | Edition 5 | Pages 44-50 | DOI
10.30844/I4SE.26.5.5