Using VR technology in the pre-onboarding of temporary employees in a Norwegian SME

Abstract

European industry is currently facing extensive transformations. The well-being of the employees is an essential element in this transition, which is part of what we now call Industry 5.0. A challenge is to find and maintain a balance between human-centered manufacturing and focus on innovation and the implementation of new technology. The purpose of this article is to show how a Norwegian manufacturing industry SME (small and medium-sized business) can use VR (virtual reality) technology to prepare and empower temporary workers, by letting them see and experience a 360-degree video in VR of the assembly tasks even before they show up for their first day at work. A pilot case based on this technology is used as a platform for an immersive experience of 360 video in a pre-onboarding situation in the manufacturing industry company, will be presented in detail. The research is based on a case-study methodology, combined with Interpretive Field Study Research approach. Individual interviews with company management and involved employees (both temporary workers and permanent employees) have been conducted and analyzed.