Trust in smart manufacturing technologies
By Ignace Decroix
Doctoral Researcher, Digital Transformation
By Ann Vereecke
Professor of Operations Management
By Karlien Vanderheyden
Professor of Organisational Behaviour
Smart factories are no longer just about technology – they are about people and technology working together. Yet even the most advanced tools fail if employees don’t trust them. This white paper uncovers how trust shapes the adoption of smart manufacturing systems across three crucial stakeholder groups: operators, liaisons, and managers. Based on in-depth interviews with managers and operators in three manufacturing companies, this study reveals why managers often feel confident while operators still hesitate.
We explore four core dimensions of technology trust – system, data, social, and value – and show how each role weighs them differently. The result? A clear picture of why some transformations succeed while others stall.
Leaders will discover how to close the trust gap, institutionalise ownership, harden data pipelines, and make “trust by design” a management discipline.
If ROI, safety, and successful digital transformation matter to your organisation, this white paper is a must-read.
Get in touch!