Impact of automatisation on the European medical equipment industry : A case study of regulatory-driven automation and workforce polarization

Abstract

This research analyzes the various impacts of automation within the European medical equipment manufacturing industry. This includes how the workforce is organized and how regulations affect it, going beyond cost savings to focus on compliance required by the Medical Device Regulation. Using a qualitative research structure, the study combines a single case study of the Optinova Innovation Center with a documentary analysis of leading European manufacturers in the medical equipment industry. The results suggest that automation does not necessarily lead to overall job losses, instead workers have been reallocated to other roles. However, the employment has shifted significantly. While demand and wages for technical specialists have risen, manual operator roles have transformed into passive monitoring tasks, leading to reduced job complexity and difficulties in retaining workers. The European medical equipment industry is currently driven by automation and strict regulatory frameworks like the Medical Device Regulation. The research concludes that automation is essential for regulatory compliance and protection and optimizing production under strict regulations while enabling European manufacturers to remain competitive.

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