Operator Contributions to Innovation: Supporting Innovative Production Development in a Digital Learning Environment

As all technologies come to pass, change by innovation is needed both ways, exploiting current knowledge do better and exploring new differently. Due years of continuous improvement (CI), exploitation in production development rather well investigated, exploration less. It could be argued that not utilizing the potential explorative operator contributions a lost opportunity increase company’s capability. Simultaneously, operators are facing great changes when manufacturing adopting digitalization sustainability challenges enhancing need for innovation. This study focused on team through workshop series five sessions about activities format using structured semi-structured interviews. The provided basis constructing model positioning operators’ digital maturity level. Through empirical data model, conclusion illustrated as alternative pathways reach desired level maturity. was concluded approaching should done two-step process. Increasing maturities simultaneously, with studied team, showed difficult due being co-dependent. suggested process contributes understanding prerequisites opportunities participate contribute digitalized work environments, ultimately increasing