The IfM has recently undertaken research into how technologies are accepted and adopted in the manufacturing space, and has developed some guidance on how to build confidence and understanding of new systems. Jason Naselli explains.
As digital technologies continue to be adopted by industry, they are unlocking the possibilities of new efficiencies and new business models across sectors. But the successful incorporation of these technologies to create new business solutions requires collaboration from all parts of an organisation – from strategic planning and finance to engineering and operations. Researchers from the IfM have been studying how technologies are accepted and adopted across organisations, to better understand how this collaboration and implementation can be done effectively.
They have developed executive education approaches that can be used by organisations to overcome uncertainty and confusion around new technology. By catching people up with the conversation and building their confidence at engaging with strategies for technology change, they support firms in building understanding of how technology can be used to generate value and support new business models.
The Internet of Things
After a year of testing and refining, IfM Engage is offering a new course focused on the Internet of Things (IoT), which introduces IoT concepts and relevant strategies as well as the strengths and limitations of the relevant supporting technologies. It offers a bird’s eye view of the whole field of IoT, in an accessible format. With this overview format, it gives people a framework for understanding the big picture on the Industrial Internet of Things as well as new business models in their industry and the launching of IoT products – to enable them to identify what is relevant and what is not.
Aimed at middle and senior managers without a technical background, the course uses hands-on activities and real-world examples, approaches we have seen associated with improved levels of confidence in a range of relevant competencies. The course helps to illustrate how IoT data can transform not only the operations of organisations but also the ecosystems in which those organisations participate.
Artificial intelligence
In addition, a recent industrial survey has now examined some of the challenges firms face in adopting artificial intelligence (AI), including barriers specific to AI, such as the issue of trust. The survey tested the importance of over a dozen key factors in the successful integration of AI into an organisation, with results pointing to the potential importance of things like organisational culture as well as transparency around how it is used and where human input is needed.
At a masterclass at Digital Manufacturing Week, senior research associates Dr Imogen Cleaver and Dr Florian Urmetzer will present these findings and host small discussion groups with participants to share experiences about how to overcome challenges in AI adoption.
To find out more about the research, education and practice of the Institute for Manufacturing, as well as the offerings from our knowledge transfer company, IfM Engage, visit our stand at Digital Manufacturing Week or see our websites.
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