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.
The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM, which is headquartered in Mattighofen, Upper Austria, plans to reduce its workforce by about 300 workers, half of them regular staff and temporary agency workers each. The redundacy programme started in October 2008 and is expected to be completed by April 2009. This was released by the company's CEO, Stefan Pierer, on 30 January 2009. Moreover, management envisages to make use of a new short-time working scheme which is currently being considered by the government and expected to be introduced in spring 2009. During 2009, the company plans to reduce production capacities by 25%, due to a dramatic drop in order intakes as a result of the current economic downturn.
Eurofound (2009), KTM Power Sports, Internal restructuring in Austria, factsheet number 68251, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/68251.