Researchers from the Department of Industrial Organisation at Tecnun have prepared a report that determines the impact of Industry 4.0 on operational management and the human factor in industrial companies. The study - the first of its kind in Spain - identifies the leadership style and skills, both technical and personal, that workers in an organisation will need to acquire as a result of the new industrial paradigm. 

The research, which was carried out by 3 lecturers from Tecnun and a student from the master's degree in Industrial Engineering, was carried out with the participation of 22 leading companies in Gipuzkoa in the use of 4.0 technologies, such as big data, 3D printing or autonomous robots. To this end, in-depth interviews were conducted with plant engineers, human resources managers, area managers and general managers.

Álvaro Lleó, professor of People Management at Tecnun, explains that one of the objectives of this research is to identify the professional, technical and personal skills that engineers 4.0 should have in order to be able to analyse "how to improve the training of students".

The conclusions of the study highlight that Industry 4.0 will affect all jobs in a manufacturing company, that both the role of supervisor and the role of operator will change and that it is necessary for the university to accompany the company on this path.