The aim of the research project Digital Collaboration in International Networks: A Competence Platform for Manufacturing Companies (DiCoLab) is to design, develop, and test a competence and collaboration platform to support the sustainable organization of work and learning processes in international networks. The project integrates the needs of manufacturing companies with the potential of digitally enabled solutions for communication and innovation processes.
To achieve this, the project adopts a transdisciplinary approach. Conceptual knowledge on theories, measures, and mechanisms from different research fields is translated into practical solutions through participatory living lab processes.
In addition to the Research Association for Tools and Materials (Forschungsgemeinschaft Werkzeuge und Werkstoffe e.V.) as consortium lead, the following partners are involved: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy gGmbH; University of Wuppertal – Center for Transformation Research and Sustainability (transzent); Future Cleantech Architects gGmbH; Ritter Technologie GmbH; P. F. Freund & Cie. GmbH; ARNTZ GmbH + Co. KG; and MATADOR GmbH & Co. KG.
We are part a consortium working on the development and testing of a digital collaboration platform to support sustainable work, learning, and innovation processes in manufacturing networks
DiCoLab is funded under the “Future of Work” program by the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus), and is managed by Project Management Agency Karlsruhe (PTKA).
The project began in 2025 and will run until end of 2027.