DWIH Tokyo presents Coffee Talk #2
The labor market and the way people work has changed significantly several times since the time of industrialization. Which role new technologies play in relation to the future change of work was discussed in the second edition of the “DWIH Coffee Talk” on April 6, 2021.
Together with members from three other Japanese-German research networks of the “The Future of Work” campaign, Professor Dr. Nils Madeja from DIGIMARI project participated in the event.
Professor Dr. Nils Madeja stated that, on the one hand, new technologies will possibly replace human work in many areas, but on the other hand there will still be fields of work that can only be effectively carried out by humans. At the same time, this development also creates entirely new areas of work for people. He also explained that traditional production companies not only use new technologies to optimize their existing business model, but that new business models are being developed in the course of the digital transformation that enable companies to react faster and be more agile.
Mr. Tetsuya Sasaki from the research project MEJOIN emphasized that the mentioned change of business models is important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Japan. Especially so because their effectiveness is significantly low in comparison to big companies. In order to increase the effectiveness, it is essential to change the business models of SMEs with the help of new technologies. In order to secure the long-term existence of these companies, it is therefore not sufficient if SMEs only produce conventional goods. Instead, it is key that companies offer an added value through the use of technologies.
Mrs. Sabine Ganter-Richter of the GRANITE research project also made it clear that trusting and profound partnerships as well as international networks are important, too. The process of digitization represents a long-term, very demanding and, last but not least, a very cost-intensive challenge for companies. Partnerships between companies, research institutes and local administration in Germany and Japan help companies to master this challenge in the best possible way.
New technologies also open up radically new possibilities in the field of elderly care for example: Robots could provide better and more extensive care, whereby they would not replace the carers, but rather support them in their work, says Dr. Rainer Wieching from the PADERO research project. However, in order to be able to introduce and establish such technical innovations in elderly care or any other work environment, it is essential to directly involve the workers concerned in the process of digital transformation.
For further information, please visit the website of DWIH Tokyo:
“The Future of Work: New Technologies and the Workplace”
You can also watch the second edition of the DWIH Coffee Talk in it’s entirety on the DWIH Tokyo’s YouTube channel. Please enjoy!