Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
Norwegian company RBI interiør has planned to move its production of all MDF panels (Medium density fireboard) back to Norway, from Sweden and Poland. The "SmartPanel" model in particular has been already been moved to Fredrikstad. This change in production strategy required the movement of 30 employees from Skjeberg, Sweden and the recruitment of 20 new employees. Production is now taking place in a new automated factory in Fredrikstad. Production capacity at this site is currently about 800 sq. metres per hour. Remi Bergstrøm, head of Smart Board Production said that RBI interior aims to reach 10 million sq. metres per year. The factory is receiving large investments for five production lines that will be in operation by the end of the reshoring process. These investments total approximately NOK 35-40 million (EUR 3.7 - 4.2 million USD 4.2 - 4.8 million).
Eurofound (2015), RBI Interior, Reshoring in Norway, factsheet number 239, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/239.