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Participation in job redesign: An evaluation of the use of a sociotechnical tool and its impact
Author(s) -
Nadin S.J.,
Waterson P.E.,
Parker S.K.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
human factors and ergonomics in manufacturing and service industries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.408
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1520-6564
pISSN - 1090-8471
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6564(200124)11:1<53::aid-hfm4>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - sociotechnical system , facilitator , variety (cybernetics) , process (computing) , knowledge management , computer science , set (abstract data type) , value (mathematics) , engineering design process , process management , engineering , management science , engineering management , artificial intelligence , psychology , mechanical engineering , social psychology , machine learning , programming language , operating system
In this article we describe the use of a sociotechnical tool within a company manufacturing photographic products. The tool was used by shop‐floor operators and managers to redesign a group of jobs and tasks prior to the introduction of new technology. The tool involved two stages: (a) generating alternative scenarios of ways to reconfigure existing and new jobs and tasks within the plant; and (b) using a set of decision criteria (e.g., control, skill variety, and opportunity for social contact) to evaluate these scenarios, drawing on established sociotechnical and job design principles. The tool proved to be successful in generating new job designs, reinforcing the value of such design techniques, and highlighting the value of shop‐floor involvement in the design process. However, participation in the design process was not without its problems. We discuss these further in terms of the critical role of the workshop facilitator and the important role played by factors such as selection of participants and their background knowledge. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.