The research, published in IFAC PapersOnLine, tackles a longstanding gap in Industry 5.0: while inclusivity, collaboration, and well-being are often highlighted as guiding principles, there has been a lack of tools to assess their real impact on manufacturing viability.
Linking KPIs to human-centric values
The study systematically reviewed 449 academic articles, narrowing the focus to 36 high-quality papers. Through content analysis, the authors identified where human-centric values like employee empowerment, ergonomic safety, and human-AI collaboration are already reflected—and where they are not.
The results reveal that:
- Social sustainability is the most human-aligned KPI dimension.
- Adaptability, agility, and flexibility show strong potential for human-centric integration.
- Economic and environmental sustainability remain mostly linked to traditional cost-efficiency and automation.
- The viability dimension itself is rarely assessed through a human-centric lens.
What this means for SkillAIbility
The paper is highly relevant for the SkillAIbility project, which aims to make manufacturing more inclusive and adaptable through AI-enhanced learning and assistive technologies. The proposed KPI framework offers:
- A foundation for evaluating learning factories designed for diverse users
- Guidance for designing safe, human-centered workplaces
- Metrics to monitor AI-supported upskilling pathways
From theory to practice
In addition to its conceptual model, the paper outlines practical strategies for manufacturers, such as:
- Embedding participatory decision-making in KPI systems
- Designing work environments for employee well-being and safety
- Leveraging human-AI collaboration to boost resilience
As a next step, the research team plans to empirically test the framework in real-world production settings, activities that will continue within SkillAIbility’s use cases and pilot actions.
Explore the full paper
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