IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/palcom/v8y2021i1d10.1057_s41599-021-00893-9.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Can robots possess knowledge? Rethinking the DIK(W) pyramid through the lens of employees of an automotive factory

Author

Listed:
  • Johanna Hautala

    (University of Vaasa
    University of Turku)

Abstract

Knowledge, information, and data are increasingly processed in human–robot collaboration. This study tackles two requirements for revising the concepts of knowledge, information, and data. First is developing robots’ knowledge capabilities and transparency and ensuring effective division of tasks between humans and robots to increase the productivity of robotised factories. Employees’ interpretations of robots’ abilities to possess knowledge reveal their assumptions of robots’ possibilities and limitations to create knowledge-based products with humans. Second, the classic DIK(W) pyramid of data, information, knowledge, and wisdom is a theoretical construct requiring additional empirical research. This empirical exploratory study develops the DIK(W) further and applies it as a tool to understand employees’ perspectives of robots and knowledge. Do people believe robots possess knowledge? What kind of knowledge can (or cannot) robots possess? A survey (n = 269) was collected from the most robotised factory in Finland, Valmet Automotive. Half of the respondents think robots can possess knowledge, but only with humans. These respondents were more likely to trust robots compared to those who think robots cannot possess knowledge. As the key contribution, the DIK(W) pyramid is reconceived by (i) acknowledging robots and humans, (ii) turning the pyramid upside down, and (iii) recognising knowledge as a dividing concept.

Suggested Citation

  • Johanna Hautala, 2021. "Can robots possess knowledge? Rethinking the DIK(W) pyramid through the lens of employees of an automotive factory," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:8:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-021-00893-9
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-021-00893-9
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41599-021-00893-9
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41599-021-00893-9?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kate E McBride & Daniel Steffens & Kylie Duncan & Paul G Bannon & Michael J Solomon, 2019. "Knowledge and attitudes of theatre staff prior to the implementation of robotic-assisted surgery in the public sector," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(3), pages 1-8, March.
    2. Christina E. Shalley & Lucy L. Gilson, 2017. "Creativity and the Management of Technology: Balancing Creativity and Standardization," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 26(4), pages 605-616, April.
    3. Marco Ardolino & Mario Rapaccini & Nicola Saccani & Paolo Gaiardelli & Giovanni Crespi & Carlo Ruggeri, 2018. "The role of digital technologies for the service transformation of industrial companies," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(6), pages 2116-2132, March.
    4. Kahan, Tomer & Bukchin, Yossi & Menassa, Roland & Ben-Gal, Irad, 2009. "Backup strategy for robots' failures in an automotive assembly system," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(2), pages 315-326, August.
    5. Emily Anthes, 2017. "The shape of work to come," Nature, Nature, vol. 550(7676), pages 316-319, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Li, Ying & Dai, Jing & Cui, Li, 2020. "The impact of digital technologies on economic and environmental performance in the context of industry 4.0: A moderated mediation model," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    2. Gianmarco Bressanelli & Federico Adrodegari & Daniela C. A. Pigosso & Vinit Parida, 2022. "Towards the Smart Circular Economy Paradigm: A Definition, Conceptualization, and Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, April.
    3. Hui Guang & Ying Liu & Jiao Feng & Nan Wang, 2024. "Smart Manufacturing and Enterprise Breakthrough Innovation: Co-Existence Test of “U-Shaped” and Inverted “U-Shaped” Relationships in Chinese Listed Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-19, July.
    4. Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Martiskainen, Mari & Furszyfer Del Rio, Dylan D., 2021. "Knowledge, energy sustainability, and vulnerability in the demographics of smart home technology diffusion," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    5. Bustinza, Oscar F. & Opazo-Basaez, Marco & Tarba, Shlomo, 2022. "Exploring the interplay between Smart Manufacturing and KIBS firms in configuring product-service innovation performance," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    6. Tao, Zhibin & Chao, Jiaxiao, 2024. "Unlocking new opportunities in the industry 4.0 era, exploring the critical impact of digital technology on sustainable performance and the mediating role of GSCM practices," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 3(3).
    7. Marie-Anne Le-Dain & Lamiae Benhayoun & Judy Matthews & Marine Liard, 2023. "Barriers and opportunities of digital servitization for SMEs: the effect of smart Product-Service System business models," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 17(1), pages 359-393, March.
    8. Federico A. Lievano-Martínez & Javier D. Fernández-Ledesma & Daniel Burgos & John W. Branch-Bedoya & Jovani A. Jimenez-Builes, 2022. "Intelligent Process Automation: An Application in Manufacturing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-15, July.
    9. Zhou, Dan & Yan, Tingting & Dai, Weiqi & Feng, Junzheng, 2021. "Disentangling the interactions within and between servitization and digitalization strategies: A service-dominant logic," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    10. Gláucya Daú & Annibal Scavarda & Luiz Felipe Scavarda & Vivianne Julianelli Taveira Portugal, 2019. "The Healthcare Sustainable Supply Chain 4.0: The Circular Economy Transition Conceptual Framework with the Corporate Social Responsibility Mirror," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-19, June.
    11. Arias-Pérez, José & Vélez-Jaramillo, Juan, 2022. "Ignoring the three-way interaction of digital orientation, Not-invented-here syndrome and employee's artificial intelligence awareness in digital innovation performance: A recipe for failure," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    12. Yong Chen & Zhengjie Wu & Wenchao Yi & Bingjia Wang & Jianhua Yao & Zhi Pei & Jiaoliao Chen, 2022. "Bibliometric Method for Manufacturing Servitization: A Review and Future Research Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-26, July.
    13. Emilia Ingemarsdotter & Ella Jamsin & Gerd Kortuem & Ruud Balkenende, 2019. "Circular Strategies Enabled by the Internet of Things—A Framework and Analysis of Current Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-37, October.
    14. Julie Linthorst & André de Waal, 2020. "Megatrends and Disruptors and Their Postulated Impact on Organizations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-25, October.
    15. Chouaibi, Salim & Festa, Giuseppe & Quaglia, Roberto & Rossi, Matteo, 2022. "The risky impact of digital transformation on organizational performance – evidence from Tunisia," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    16. Kandampully, Jay & Bilgihan, Anil & Bujisic, Milos & Kaplan, Andreas & Jarvis, Cheryl Burke & Shukla, Yupal, 2021. "Service transformation: How can it be achieved?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 219-228.
    17. Liliya Satalkina & Gerald Steiner, 2020. "Digital Entrepreneurship: A Theory-Based Systematization of Core Performance Indicators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-22, May.
    18. Kristoffersen, Eivind & Blomsma, Fenna & Mikalef, Patrick & Li, Jingyue, 2020. "The smart circular economy: A digital-enabled circular strategies framework for manufacturing companies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 241-261.
    19. Owusu Victor Kwarteng & Gregar Ales & Ntsiful Alex, 2021. "Organizational diversity and competency-based performance: The mediating role of employee commitment and job satisfaction," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 16(4), pages 352-369, December.
    20. Carmelina Bevilacqua & Poya Sohrabi & Nourhan Hamdy, 2022. "Spatializing Social Networking Analysis to Capture Local Innovation Flows towards Inclusive Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, March.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:8:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-021-00893-9. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.nature.com/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.