Mechanisms for navigating the future of manufacturing jobs

This symposium serves as a showcase for existing research, with a specific focus on mechanisms for navigating the social aspects of future manufacturing. Specifically, these mechanisms can help organizations and industries to coordinate and leverage diverse resources, and develop initiatives aimed at realigning the demand and supply of skills and roles for the future. The first two papers explore diverse potential visions of future work in manufacturing, investigating how digital manufacturing may reshape the job dynamics in the sector. The third paper systematically reviews the use of socio-technical scenario tools as a mechanism to engage stakeholders in envisioning future scenarios for work processes and roles, along with developing action plans for transformative change. In the fourth paper, the exploration shifts to coworking spaces as a mechanism for promoting cross-skills fertilization. Recognizing the imperative for diverse skill sets in upcoming manufacturing roles, this paper investigates how coworking spaces can facilitate the exchange of knowledge and collaboration within and across organizations in the manufacturing sector.