Advanced manufacturing technology and work design: Towards a theoretical framework

• Published in: Journal of organizational behavior Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 201 - 219
• Main Authors: Wall, Toby D., Corbett, J. Martin, Clegg, Chris W., Jackson, Paul R., Martin, Robin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.05.1990; John Wiley and Sons; Wiley; Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Subjects: Advanced manufacturing technologies; Advances; Automatic control; Computer based; Effects; Emerging technology; Information technology; Job design; Job performance; Job performance evaluation; Job satisfaction; Job stress; Machinery; Manufacturing; Operators; Organizational behavior; Psychological; Social interaction; Stress; Studies; Technological change; Technology; Variables
• ISSN: 0894-3796; 1099-1379
• DOI: 10.1002/job.4030110304

This paper introduces a theoretical framework to guide research into the psychological effects of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) on shopfloor operators. The framework has two main aspects. First, based on the emerging literature on the job content implications of AMT, it identifies four key constructs, namely: control, cognitive demand, production responsibility and social interaction. Second, by drawing on the more established job design, stress and related literatures, it predicts how these independent variables differentially affect system performance, job-related strain and job satisfaction. The wider implications and limitations of the theoretical framework are discussed.