How Work Changes   [12.02.20]

Keyword work 4.0: Digitization is changing the working world. This is one of the research areas of Prof. Dr. Caroline Ruiner. She has been head of the Department of Sociology since October 2019.

 

Her entire career since her studies has been characterized by an interdisciplinary approach between business administration and sociology. Therefore, she feels particularly well placed in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.

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Ms. Ruiner, you took over the Department of Sociology from your predecessor, Prof. Sabine Pfeiffer. The name of the chair has remained the same. What is changing?

Of course I bring my own topics. My main focus is on the sociology of work and organization. I investigate the change of work and industrial relations on an individual, organizational, and inter-company level, i.e. the characteristics and effects of the change of work for individuals, organizations, and institutions of interest representation.

What are your current research topics?

One research topic is the changes caused by and design of digital work for individuals, teams, and the leadership relationship. I am particularly investigating this in the areas of production, logistics, and trade.

Furthermore, I am exploring new organizational structures and forms of employment that have recently gained relevance. For example, there are more freelancers, and as external people in organizations they often work directly with the internal ones. I look at this especially in the IT sector and in hospitals. I am particularly interested here in knowledge transfer processes and perceptions of justice.

And what are your other fields?

For example, digitization in logistics, especially food logistics, because efficient coordination is time-critical here, and new forms of organization and business models such as Lieferando are emerging that are controlled via digital media. I am particularly interested in the perceived tension between autonomy and control in the workforce.

Which project would you tackle if you had unlimited resources and possibilities?

I would expand a very real project: We're just starting a project on artificial intelligence, funded by the Ministry of Economy, Labor and Housing of Baden-Württemberg. In it, we are investigating how artificial intelligence can be designed so that it is ethically and socially acceptable, so that people perceive the new technologies as supportive. My dream would be to set up a laboratory and do experimental work.

I could also imagine a project in the field of food supply chains: how digitalization can help to promote more sustainable action.

Can students already participate in your research projects?

Yes, of course, even during their studies. Because research-based learning is very important to me, we set the thematic framework in the Master's seminars, but students can contribute their own interests. I like to promote my own ideas because this is the best way to learn the scientific tools of the trade. This can then also lead to a Master's thesis.

We are also always looking for students who are interested in being student assistants (HiWis) - anyone who is interested is very welcome to contact us.

What are the main points in your teaching?

It is important to me to closely link theory and empiricism by presenting both classical theoretical approaches and current, international, and interdisciplinary research results on the change of work and new industrial relations, discussing them with students, and reflecting critically. In addition, interdisciplinarity is important for a comprehensive understanding of the changes in the world of work.

For me, the participation of students in the sense of research-based learning is central to the systematic interlinking of theory and empiricism. This implies accompanying independent research work and scientific discussion of relevant questions arising from the students' interests. Students should realize that theories can also be criticized, and their critical spirit must be awakened: What is the point of a theory? Where are its limits?

Translating these theories into business practice, that is, application references, are also of great importance: What examples are there, what are the students' own experiences? I always seek to talk to the students and invite representatives from the business world to show concrete problems and their relevance to practical applications.

What will students learn from you?

I introduce them to economic sociology. It is about the change from production work to service work - from the beginnings to newer developments such as Industry 4.0 and Work 4.0. Most students have already had their own professional experiences. I want to pick them up there, because then the newer phenomena of the world of work will be easier to understand.

Where can your students work later?

It depends on their specialization. Many companies have already recognized the special status of sociologists in a rapidly changing working world, and that cooperation in interdisciplinary teams and the rapid acquisition of theories and models for practical implementation are becoming increasingly important.

For example, sociologists can play a particularly important role when companies introduce new technologies or redesign workplaces and processes in general. Experts are then needed to take the employees along and help shape the working world in the company, for example in a staff position, in the personnel department, or in the PR department. In general, it can be observed that sociology students are entering the job market in an increasingly diverse way.

Do you have good advice for your students?

Set yourself goals and work towards achieving them. But stay flexible and adapt to changes. And don't forget to enjoy life too!

What was your path to Hohenheim like?

My entire career since my studies has been characterized by both business administration and sociology: I completed a double degree in sociology and business administration in Frankfurt and did my doctorate in sociology in Augsburg. In my postdoc phase, I went to the Ruhr University in Bochum and switched to business administration. Then I went back to sociology: I was deputy professor in Bochum and Trier and junior professor for sociology at the University of Trier. With the Department of Sociology in the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Hohenheim, I can combine both disciplines wonderfully.

So you got to know a few universities in Germany. How do you like it here in Hohenheim now?

Very well! It was a great pleasure to get to know the students here in my first courses at the University of Hohenheim and I look forward to the upcoming semesters. The university is very dynamic overall and I have good support from the administrative departments so that my projects can move here from my old university. The staff is also very open-minded, and I am looking forward to doing research together with others, even across faculties. I have been cooperating with other disciplines for a long time now, but the agricultural sector is new for me. And I confess that it is still an unusual sight for me that a tractor often crosses your path here at the university...

Do you have any free time left outside of work, Ms. Ruiner?

Oh, yes, I have small children, with whom I spend time of course. I also like to go jogging and riding.

 

 

Thank you very much for the interview!

 

Interview: Elsner / Translation: Neudorfer