The idea was developed by scientists at the Institute for Social Science Research (ISF) in Munich, as part of the ‘WING’ project . The laboratories aim to make it easier for companies to shape their path into the digital working world together with their employees: For many experts, this is a crucial factor for ensuring successful digital transformation. New tools and new leadership concepts too can be tested in the laboratories. Lab teams work on tools and concepts independently, expertly, and without any fixed expectations. The solutions they come up with are listened to and assessed by a steering group, management, and works committees. Then, where applicable, they are rolled out across the company, reports German magazine Mitbestimmung .

According to the researchers in Munich, the laboratories have already been scientifically evaluated and have successfully passed the practical test. Robert Bosch GmbH was the first company to use the laboratories, and since then some 600 companies have followed suit. Gerhard Steiger from Bosch says that the laboratories enabled the company to “get off the beaten track”.

Other companies are also looking for new ways to shape their digital transformation together with their staff. Deutsche Bahn, for example, has set up the experimental space Mitbestimmung PLUS . Employees were invited to submit proposals here, which were then evaluated by a jury, and if successful, subsequently developed.