Showing papers by "Chris W. Clegg published in 1987"

The Human side of advanced manufacturing technology

Abstract: The Nature and Implications of Advanced Manufacturing Technology: Introduction Planning, Designing and Implementing Advanced Manufacturing Technology Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Work Design Selection and Training for Advanced Manufacturing Technology Control of Advanced Manufacturing Technology: Supervision Without Supervisors? Organizational Design for Advanced Manufacturing Technology Industrial Relations Issues in Advanced Manufacturing Technology Societal Implications of Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research and Development into "Humanizing" Advanced Manufacturing Technology.

Women on the assembly line: A comparison of main and interactive explanations of job satisfaction, absence and mental health

Abstract: This paper examines the relative merits of main and interactive explanations of the effects of assembly-line work on the job satisfaction, absence and mental health of a sample of women operators. In an empirical study, it was found that assembly-line work had a direct effect on job satisfaction thus confirming previous findings for men. No effect was found for absence. There was an interaction effect of assembly-line work on mental health. It occurred for those who felt their job denied them the opportunity to use their abilities, and who daydreamed for substantial periods of time. The role of daydreaming is interpreted as a personal predisposition to disengage cognitively. Social support was not found to have a moderating role for any of the dependent variables.

Information technology and job design: a case study on computerized numerically controlled machine tool working

Abstract: A detailed case study is presented of the use of CNC machine tools in an engineering factory. This examines what choices were made regarding the management and operation of CNC machines, and why, and the impact of these choices on the firm and its employees. Contrary to a deskilling hypothesis, the findings showed that CNC machinists exercised high levels of operational control, were very skilled, satisfied with the content of their jobs, but critical of work coordinating mechanisms. These job designs are linked to internal and external contingencies. The paper concludes with predictions concerning job designs associated with the move to complex information technology systems.

Advanced manufacturing technology and work simplification: An empirical study

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the effects of advanced manufacturing technology on shopfloor operator jobs and work attitudes. A strong line of argument from labour process theory suggests that such technology will simplify and deskill jobs, and reduce the quality or working life. This proposition was explored within a large electronics company which assembles computer boards, where two different applications of information technology have been experienced. These were compared with two traditional manual assembly jobs. Assessment of job content, perceived job characteristics and operator work attitudes, showed no uniform deskilling effects of advanced manufacturing technologies. Much larger differences existed both between the different new technology applications and between the traditional jobs. This demonstrates that choice of technology is important to skill use and employees' attitudes, as are the choices for the organization of work around it. These are not uniform processes even within a single organization. Experience of operating advanced manufacturing technology was also accompanied by more positive views concerning its impact on the shopfloor.