Authors: Konstantinos Mantzaris, Barbara Myloni

Title: Human Resources and Workplaces of Tomorrow

Abstract

Until today, the influence of the human resources (HR) department rises and falls depending on how professionals respond to the constant challenge of keeping a workplace functional, profitable, and valuable enough for its core elements. However, the speed of current technological breakthroughs has no historical precedent. HR management will face many dilemmas, trying to balance the human powered business with technological applications in terms of staying beneficial inside the globalized economy. During this process, new fields are affecting the way we think and act. Undoubtedly, advances in computing power and its innovative capabilities lead to the creation of a new environment. Indeed, scientists and engineers all around the globe create devices that do more, are faster, and with fewer constraints. Also -and more importantly-, devices become constantly smarter with technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI). Workplaces of tomorrow will be driven by the framework of the fourth industrial revolution, representing new ways in which technology becomes embedded within businesses, societies, and even the human body. Overall, human resources are in the early stages of preparing to harness the full potential of Industry 4.0. To successfully transform the workplace we must work proactively, by mastering the human and machine collaboration.