Cognitive Ergonomics of Assembly Work from a Job Demands–Resources Perspective: Three Qualitative Case Studies

In manufacturing companies, cognitive processing is required from assembly workers\ua0to perform correct and timely assembly of complex products, often with varied specifications and\ua0high quality demands. This paper explores assembly operators’ perceptions of cognitive/mental\ua0workload to provide a holistic understanding of the work conditions that affect cognitive demands\ua0and performance. While the physical loading aspects of assembly work are well known, most\ua0empirical literature dealing with cognitive/mental loading in manufacturing tends to examine a few\ua0particular aspects, rather than address the issue with a holistic system view. This semi-structured\ua0interview study, involving 50 industrial assembly operators from three Swedish companies, explores\ua0how assemblers perceive that their cognitive performance and well-being is influenced by a wide\ua0variety of factors within the context of mechanical product assembly. The interview transcripts were\ua0analysed using a priori coding, followed by bottom-up Thematic Analysis. The results indicate that a\ua0variety of systemic effects on assemblers’ cognitive performance can be classified as job demands\ua0or resources. Quite often, the absence of a resource mirrors a related demand, and “good assembly\ua0conditions”, as described by the interviewees, often re-frame demands as desirable challenges that\ua0foster motivation and positive feelings towards the work. The identified demands and resources\ua0stem from task design, timing, physical loading, intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, social teamwork\ua0and the product’s “interface” design. Despite organisational differences and conditions between the\ua0three companies that took part in the study, the results are largely consistent

COREQ checklist for the research project PreKo, 2018-2021

For the research project “A Model for predictive assessment of cognitive workload – PreKo”,\ua0we (the researchers) have completed a COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative\ua0Studies) checklist to transparently convey the\ua0research project’s study design in detail, with regard to the multi-case interview study that was carried\ua0out in the project

Battery Production Systems: State of the Art and Future Developments

This paper discusses the state of the art in battery production research, focusing on high-importance topics to address industrial needs and sustainability goals in this rapidly growing field. We first present current research around three themes: human-centred production, smart production management, and sustainable manufacturing value chains. For each theme, key subtopics are explored to potentially transform battery value chains and shift to more sustainable production models. Such systemic transformations are supported by technological advances to enable superior manufacturing performance through: skills and competence development, improved production ergonomics and human factors, automation and human-robot collaboration, smart production planning and control, smart maintenance, data-driven solutions for production quality and its impact on battery performance (operational efficiency and durability), circular battery systems supported by service-based business models, more integrated and digitalized value chains, and increased industrial resilience. Each subtopic is discussed to suggest directions for further research to realise the full potential of digitalization for sustainable battery production

Exposure and risk quantification for improved relationship assessment in occupational investigations

Data gathered in occupational workplace investigations can be used as a source to improve the statistics. The aim of this paper is to start a discussion on how this can be done. Some suggestions for this are given: e.g. that there should be an increased use of quantitative data in occupational investigations. The number of variables used in exposure quantification should be limited and agreed upon. The variation in terminology should be reduced by improving the definitions of the terms used and also by developing a methods standard. In this way the relationships between exposure and effect could be formulated in quantitative terms. There are many influencing factors which affect the possibility to make comparisons over time, but increased use of precise concepts and standardized methods can result in much better statistics

Noise and artefacts

\ua9 1996 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All measurements are to some extent exposed to disturbances and this is particularly the case in electrophysiological measurements because the signal amplitude is low compared to the disturbances. The disturbances have different origins; some are generated in the environment, some arise as a result of the experimental conditions, and others such as noise are inherently generated in the measurement system. To reduce the disturbances to acceptable levels can be difficult and requires well-designed equipment and a qualified measurement engineer to plan the measurement system and also to carry out or survey the measurements

Risks in Decision making –Learning from the Brent Spar Case

Decision making is an important element inmanagers’ work. Despite the importance it happens thatdecision makers do not pay enough attention to someimportant factors. A decision which seems to be right mightface considerable risk due to its sensitivity to other factors. One way to avoid such a situation is learning from historical cases. This paper is focused on Shell Brent Spar case and the decisions leading up to its disposal. The aim of the study is to analyse and assess interactions of different actors which are involved by means of risk assessment to identify the main influencing factors affecting the failure of the decision. Theresults show that different moral grounds of the actors, poor communication of Shell with the society, and being distracted by economic benefits were the most important influencing factors affecting the decision