Knowledge-related tasks are to be found in many sectors and occupations. Information constitutes the raw materials, the tools and the results. This field includes the following tasks: research, structuring, analysis, documenting, advising, informing and designing.

An academic education is not necessarily required for knowledge--based tasks. Knowledge-based tasks can be both straightforward and complex, and they can require both routine work and creativity. Digital work equipment such as PCs, laptops, tablets and smart phones are the common tools of the trade.

Approach

The research in this area consists of the following steps:

Step 1

• Ascertaining the requirements, dissemination and degree of digitalisation of knowledge-based tasks
• Analysing the current state of knowledge through literature reviews and summary in the form of a systematic review

Step 2

• Identification of relevant groups of employees for further consideration
• Grouping criteria: the type and extent of digitalisation, working conditions, specific characteristics of the employess (for instance, openness to digital technologies, existing competencies)
• Per group: evaluation of whether digital technologies can improve the working conditions in this field

Step 3

Development of forward-looking, task-specific guiding principles for knowledge-based tasks on the basis of the overriding criteria of human-centred work in the digital world of work

Step 4

Deriving further requirements surrounding the need for action and design from the overview of the groups investigated, taking the work in the programme components "Monitoring the digital world of work" and "OSH systems in the digital world of work" into consideration