Co-determination – An interdisciplinary concept to train PhD students from different disciplines

Abstract

Abstract The distribution of cyber-physical systems, crosslinking of data and other transition processes often discussed in the context of Industry 4.0 do not only affect the manufacturing industry but all kinds of work that offer potential for standardization. The Learning Factory of the Ruhr-University in its unique social embeddedness has long since recognized workers’ representatives and managers as well as undergraduate students as important target groups to be involved in the transition processes of Industry 4.0, always with a clear focus on industrial production. However, now also PhD students from various scientific backgrounds who plan to leave the academic world to build a career in NGOs, administrations or (industrial) enterprises will get the chance to be qualified in a field affecting everyone: The changes of the working world, of competences, tasks and working conditions, will not stop at the doors of industrial factories. According to the tradition of the Learning Factory of the Chair of Production Systems (Lehrstuhl fur Produktionssysteme, LPS) of using a holistic socio-technical approach, PhD students seen as future executive staff will play a key role in organizing and shaping transition processes as well as experience them affecting their own working life. This paper introduces a didactic concept developed in an interdisciplinary cooperation of the Office of Cooperation RUB/IGM and the Chair of Production Systems (LPS) of Ruhr-University Bochum with the support of the Hans-Bockler-Foundation. It aims at imparting theoretical knowledge e.g. on the role of co-determination, the use of assistance systems or forms of knowledge management as well as enabling practical experience in the course of four modules. It tries to raise awareness for chances, challenges, questions, and discussions surrounding the changes in the working world.