Reimagining Work Identity: Emotional and Cognitive Shifts in Robotic Workspaces
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Abstract
As industrial automation becomes increasingly prevalent, factory workers face not only structural changes in their job roles but also significant psychological transformations. This study investigates how factory operators reconstruct their professional identities and emotional frameworks amidst the integration of robotic systems in manufacturing environments. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), twelve operators from two Southeast Asian factories were interviewed to uncover their subjective interpretations of this technological shift. The findings reveal five interconnected themes: fear of redundancy, emotional ambivalence toward robotic systems, struggles in technological adaptation, identity redefinition, and perceived inequity in organizational support. Participants expressed a complex spectrum of emotions ranging from anxiety and alienation to empowerment and renewed self-worth. Notably, some operators evolved from resistance to acceptance, transforming their roles from manual laborers to tech-savvy contributors. This emotional and cognitive journey underscores that automation is not merely a technical innovation it is a human challenge involving adaptation, meaning-making, and identity negotiation. The study highlights the necessity for empathetic, inclusive strategies in managing industrial change, emphasizing both emotional well-being and equitable access to training. By shifting the lens from productivity metrics to personal narratives, this research offers vital insights for organizational leaders, policy makers, and scholars interested in the intersection of technology and human experience in Industry 4.0 contexts.
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