Working with technology: The case for worker-centered innovation

Abstract

Manufacturing workers possess critical on-the-ground insights shaped by their daily engagement with production systems, technologies, and organizational routines. Yet in many small- and mid-sized manufacturing firms, these insights are underutilized, constrained by limited resources, rigid management structures, and a narrow focus on technical upskilling. This paper examines how publicly funded manufacturing support institutions can help address this disconnect by fostering worker-led innovation that integrates organizational, technological, and workforce change. Through a case study of the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) and its partnership with a medium-sized manufacturer, World Class Technology Corporation, we analyze how MEP centers can serve as effective intermediaries in facilitating inclusive workplace innovation. OMEP’s approach involved aligning frontline worker participation with management goals and technological upgrades, enabling more collaborative and sustainable improvements. As domestic manufacturing faces renewed uncertainty under shifting political and economic conditions, this case underscores the value of MEP centers in strengthening the resilience of smaller firms. By recentering workers in innovation processes, MEPs not only improve firm competitiveness but also expand equitable participation in industrial transformation. This paper contributes to broader conversations about institutional strategies for advancing worker-centered innovation and proposes new directions for research and practice across the MEP network.