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.
ABB, a power and automation technology multinational, is to create between 400 and 450 new jobs in 2013 and to expand its production at the Brno site with an investment amounting to CZK 650 million. The new plant will open in 2014, but the firm will start recruitment and training of new personnel in 2013.
The investment happens despite the fact that ABB operates similar plants in China, India, Brazil and Egypt, where labour is cheaper and the production is closer to the fastest growing markets. Brno has been chosen for its 125 years of history with the company and experienced professionals. The Brno plant, focusing on the production of high voltage equipment, currently employs 1,000 permanent employees and 400 temporary agency workers.
ABB, headquartered in Zurich, has plants in about 100 countries and employs 145,000 people worldwide.
Eurofound (2012), ABB, Business expansion in Czechia, factsheet number 74531, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/74531.