Title: Human factor and entropy evaluation in collaborative workplace environment

Authors: Sotirios Panagou; Fabio Fruggiero; Alfredo Lambiase

Addresses: School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, 85100, Potenza, Italy ' School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, 85100, Potenza, Italy ' Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy

Abstract: The integration of advanced technologies, that the Industry 4.0 framework introduced, in the workplace environment requires the human workforce to adapt to the workplace changes. A rising concern is the role of older workers and how smoothly can they integrate in workplace environments with automation and cobotics. To this extent, we introduce a statistical model based on entropy and human factor sustainability concept. The aim of the proposed model is to calculate the level of uncertainty inside a collaborative workplace by computing the probability of error of human workforce. The probability is calculated by utilising the parameters and variables that governs the interactions between human operators and robotics - cyber systems. This computational model was tested in a complex workplace framework by usage of advanced ICT technologies and tasks of increased complexity. Results show that the age factor plays a role in the uncertainty inside the workplace.

Keywords: ageing; sustainability; human factor; entropy; workforce; capabilities; statistical; I4.0; simulation; collaborative; workplace.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2021.121717

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2021 Vol.17 No.2/3, pp.187 - 203

Received: 02 Mar 2021
Accepted: 12 Nov 2021

Published online: 24 Mar 2022 *

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