Issues on the anthropocentric production systems

This paper analises the problems and trends of the introduction of anthropocentric production systems (APS), specifically in small less industrialised member states of the European Union. The aim of this paper is to characterize APS and to present some special considerations related to the socioeconomic factors affecting the prospects and conditions for APS that is defined as a system based on the utilization of skilled human resources and flexible technology adapted to the needs of flexible and participative organisation. Among socioeconomic factors, some critical aspects for the development of APS will be focused, namely technological infrastructure, management strategies, perceived impact of introduction of automated systems on the division of labour and organisational structure, educational and vocational training and social actors strategies towards industrial automation. This analysis is based on a sample of industrial firms, built up for qualitative analysis, and on case studies analysis that can be reference examples for further development of APS, and not just for economic policy purposes alone.We have also analysed the type of existing industrial relations, the union and employer strategies and some aspects of public policies towards the introduction of new technologies in the order to understand the extente to which there exists obstacles to and favorable conditions for the diffusion of anthropocentric systems. Finally some recomendations are presented to stress the trends for the implementation and development of anthropocentric production systems.