HRM and skills development – March 2021
Physical workplaces in a digital world: must-read thesis
Must-read for anyone interested in the interface of workplace, collaboration, innovation and creativity: the thesis of Julia Schegelmilch (VU Amsterdam) "Where we work: Physical workplaces in a digital world (2020)". Her in-depth research indicates that what a workplace is, does not have so much to do with what the place is meant for, but rather with how the place is experienced to be used (temporarily). The study argues that we need to approach the concept of workplace more broadly by understanding and classifying physical places based on the various possibilities they offer. Click here to download the thesis.
The future of work after COVID-19 according to McKinsey
McKinsey's "The Future of Work after Covid-19" study is the first of three, which examine the post-pandemic economy. Examined is the lasting impact of the pandemic on labour demand, job mix, and required skills for the workforce in eight countries with diverse economic and labour market models: China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Spain, the UK and the US. You can download the report after registering.
The other two studies look at the long-term impact of the pandemic on consumption and the potential for a broad recovery with increased productivity and accelerated innovation.
The future of working according to Raconteur
As many workers are able to work entirely from home, more and more are leaving the expensive, compact city for the outlying areas. What can this exodus from the city mean for businesses? Raconteur asks this question in their "Future of Work 2021" study (1.74 MB). The report shows how we think about the future of our work, how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the way we work, and how employees are dealing with narcissistic bosses, the popularity of peer reviews and more.
Recruiting in 2021: trends and challenges
Recruiter Monster has conducted a number of global surveys and now reports on them in their "Future of Work 2021; Global Hiring Outlook" report. Topics range from the overall state of workforce recruitment and the impact of the pandemic on it, to employee mental health and the role of diversity in the workplace. The report provides an excellent overview of what the coming year has in store for HR managers, staffing agencies and recruiters. You can download the report after filling in your details.
ASTM Exo-skeleton standard additional cornerstone for ergonomics and work
ASTM's committee on exo-skeletons and exo-suits (F48) has approved a new standard that will help establish ergonomic parameters and test methods. F3474 provides functional ergonomic criteria in the design, production and evaluation of exo-skeletons in a variety of fields, including the packaging sector (both the industrial side and retail and distribution).
Robots conquer e-commerce: 30 parameters in view
Meili Robots, in a comprehensive overview with 30 parameters, reports that around 620,000 robots will be delivered worldwide for warehouses and logistics by 2021, up from 40,000 in 2016. Mobile robots are a supplement to the workforce, not a replacement. Their introduction into fast-growing warehouses and fulfillment centers is usually a result of a worker shortage, rather than a way to replace workers. In the past five years, for example, Amazon has introduced 200,000 mobile robots into its DCs while simultaneously increasing its workforce by the same number.
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