Eberhard Ulich

Task orientation and user-oriented dialog design

Work psychologists have introduced a concept, in which dialog design is a part of task design. A set of criteria of user-oriented dialog design is presented here. These criteria are consistently integrated into a control concept. Empirical investigations on some of these criteria are then described. In an experiment to prove the criteria transparency , a desktop interface (high transparency) and a conventional menu selection interface (low transparency) were compared. The main result is the clear superiority of the user interface with direct manipulation over the conventional user interface with menu selection. Support is another of the criteria of user-oriented dialog design which was empirically investigated. The advantages of goal- and task-oriented help messages are also described here. To make the criterion flexibility and the criterion user-definability practicable, the implementation of a dialog handler for user-tailorable systems is introduced. The criterion participation was investigated in field studies. It will be shown that in projects with active participation the costs were exceeded to a lesser degree than in projects with passive participation and to a much lesser degree than in projects without participation.

Concepts and procedures of work psychology for the analysis, evaluation and design of advanced manufacturing systems: A case study

Abstract As the degrees of freedom in designing jobs and organizational structures augment with the development of advanced technology, concepts and procedures for the analysis, evaluation and design of advanced manufacturing systems become increasingly important. This paper describes the application of such concepts and procedures on a flexible manufacturing system, from a sociotechnical and work psychological point of view. Resultsof analysis and evaluation show distinct differences between a “typical” operator and a “typical” attendant, with respect to aspects of control, cognitive demands, and requirements for qualifications and learning. In order to improve the structure of the system, as well as the working conditions for operators and attendants, an alternative manufacturing system layout has been developed.

Design concepts of computer-aided integrated manufacturing systems: Work-psychological concepts and empirical findings

Abstract The research project “GRIPS” is investigating the design of computer-aided integrated manufacturing systems from a work psychological perspective. The goal is to develop and empirically support adequate design concepts. The project consists of three phases. Evidence from a broad questionnaire survey indicates that most CIM implementations fail to meet the expectations associated therewith. Based on the assumption that only the joint optimization of social and technical system results in humane working conditions and economic efficiency, implementation and use of CIM systems has been investigated in 60 companies in Switzerland. The conceptual framework distinguishes technically-oriented and work-oriented design concepts on four levels: the enterprise, the organizational unit, the group and the individual. Work-oriented manufacturing systems — as opposed to technically-oriented ones — are characterized by decentralization, functional integration, work in self-regulated groups and complete and challenging tasks. The findings support the hypothesis that work-oriented design concepts are related to higher efficiency and better achievement of goals pursued with the use of new technologies. In the third phase 12 companies have been selected for detailed case studies: The companies are comparable concerning product range and manufacturing conditions but different on the level of work-orientation. Relevance to industry The goal of the GRIPS project is to investigate the implementation and use of CIM-systems, systematize the related design concepts and relate these to efficiency of computer-aided production. The goal is to provide support for companies dealing with new technologies and to provide advice concerning efficient production design concepts.

Computer-aided manufacturing systems: Work-psychological aspects and empirical findings from case studies

Abstract In this paper, findings from a research project on work-psychological concepts for the design of computer-aided integrated manufacturing systems are presented. The work-psychological point of view is that concepts which focus not only on technical aspects, but also on the design of work organization and the use and development of skills and qualifications not only contribute to humane work conditions but are also associated with economics efficiency. Results gained from 60 small and medium size Swiss companies in the capital-goods industry show that very few companies have holistic manufacturing structures in terms of decentralization, functional integration, work group autonomy and complete and challenging tasks. Furthermore, skills and qualifications are not made use of to their fullest extent in most companies. Although technical support in terms of implementation of computer-aided manufacturing systems and technical integration is noticeably high, economic efficiency could not be exclusively attributed to the implementation of technical systems. The attainment of efficiency goals associated with the implementation of technical systems turned out to be higher in companies pursuing a holistic approach to the design of computer-aided manufacturing systems encompassing technical aspects, organizational design and use and development of skills and qualifications. Relevance to industry In many companies, the implementation and utilization of computer-aided manufacturing systems is considered an appropriate means for meeting increased market demand. Yet, a growing body of empirical findings indicates that computer-aided manufacturing systems per se will not guarantee that companies perform successfully. Data gained from case studies indicate that a comprehensive approach directed at the joint consideration and optimization of technical systems, organizational design and qualifications will contribute to a successful implementation of computer-aided manufacturing systems in terms of humane working conditions and economic efficiency. The data can be used for the work-psychologically founded design of computer-aided integrated manufacturing systems.

Work groups in computerized manufacturing systems

Currently the discussion of new production concepts is dominated, under the label of “Lean Production”, by a renaissance of the concept of team work. Yet, the definition of team work differs considerably, from the “Toyotistic” work group in Japanese manufacturing to the European concept of semi-autonomous work-groups. The lack of a “mutual agreed upon” definition of group work and empiric evidence for its advantage gave rise to the investigation of the relation between work group autonomy and efficiency of computerization and working conditions within the research project “GRIPS” (original “Gestaltung rechnerunterstiitzter integrierter Produktionssysteme”, Strohm et al. 1994).

Integration of people, technology and organization: the european approach

Abstract This paper presents the general outline of new method, HITOP-D, considering the integration and joint optimization of people, technology, and organization. This method is based on the existing american methods HITOP and ACTION. It takes in account the specific european industrial context. In an iterating process the preliminary design of a project is assessed according a list of criteria of the four aspects people, technology, organization, and task design. Incongruencies are solved through a fit analysis and redesigning the original project. The performance of HITOP-D will be empirically evaluated.