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Inclusion of Workers with Disabilities in Production 4.0: Legal Foundations in Europe and Potentials Through Worker Assistance Systems

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  • Benedikt G. Mark

    (Industrial Engineering and Automation (IEA), Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Sarah Hofmayer

    (Center for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP), National University of Ireland, University Road H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland)

  • Erwin Rauch

    (Industrial Engineering and Automation (IEA), Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Dominik T. Matt

    (Industrial Engineering and Automation (IEA), Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
    Innovation Engineering Center (IEC), Fraunhofer Research Italia s.c.a.r.l., A.-Volta-Straße 13 A, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

Abstract

The inclusion of employees with disabilities in production is an issue that has rarely been addressed by scientists from the manufacturing sector. In this article, we examine to what extent the trend towards Industry 4.0 offers potential for the inclusion of people with disabilities in Production 4.0. First, we examine relevant legal foundations and restrictions in Europe and in more detail in Austria, Italy, and Norway. Next, based on a literature review, we examine which technological aids in the form of worker assistance systems derived from Industry 4.0 can make jobs in the manufacturing sector accessible for people with disabilities. Three types of assistance systems have been examined: sensorial aid systems, physical aid systems, and cognitive aid systems. In a concluding discussion of the results, we finally summarize the implications on management and policies as well as the potential and limitations of identified worker assistance technologies. On the one hand, the study is intended to draw the attention of researchers and industrial companies to new technological possibilities for the inclusion of people with disabilities in production. On the other hand, difficulties and grievances due to the legal foundations are pointed out to stimulate a critical discussion here as well.

Suggested Citation

  • Benedikt G. Mark & Sarah Hofmayer & Erwin Rauch & Dominik T. Matt, 2019. "Inclusion of Workers with Disabilities in Production 4.0: Legal Foundations in Europe and Potentials Through Worker Assistance Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:21:p:5978-:d:280864
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shareen Hertel & Lanse Minkler, 2007. "Economic Rights: The Terrain," Economic Rights Working Papers 1, University of Connecticut, Human Rights Institute.
    2. M. Agovino & A. Rapposelli, 2017. "Regional Performance Trends in Providing Employment for Persons with Disabilities: Evidence from Italy," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 130(2), pages 593-615, January.
    3. Yuliya Kuznetsova & João Paulo Cerdeira Bento, 2018. "Workplace Adaptations Promoting the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Mainstream Employment: A Case-Study on Employers’ Responses in Norway," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(2), pages 34-45.
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    Cited by:

    1. Guido J. L. Micheli & Annamaria Rampoldi & Fabrizio Baccanti, 2021. "A Revised Systematic Layout Planning to Fit Disabled Workers Contexts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-25, June.
    2. Riccardo Brozzi & David Forti & Erwin Rauch & Dominik T. Matt, 2020. "The Advantages of Industry 4.0 Applications for Sustainability: Results from a Sample of Manufacturing Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Babucea Ana-Gabriela, 2023. "Digital Labor Market – Digital Skills And Assistive Technology Required For People With Disabilities Accessibility," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 6, pages 61-70, December.
    4. Marco Antonio Cruz-Morato & Josefa García-Mestanza & Carmen Dueñas-Zambrana, 2021. "Special Employment Centres, Time Factor and Sustainable Human Resources Management in Spanish Hotel Industry: Can Corporate Social Marketing Improve the Labour Situation of People with Disabilities?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-24, September.
    5. Jose Pedro Garcia-Sabater & Julien Maheut & Angel Ruiz & Julio Juan Garcia-Sabater, 2020. "A Framework for Capacity and Operations Planning in Services Organizations Employing Workers with Intellectual Disabilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-17, November.
    6. Houyem Zrelli & Abdullah H. Alsharif & Iskander Tlili, 2020. "Malmquist Indexes of Productivity Change in Tunisian Manufacturing Industries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-20, February.

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