Abstract
This paper analises the problems and trends of the introduction of anthropocentric production systems (APS), specifically in small less industrialised member states of the European Union. The aim of this paper is to characterize APS and to present some special considerations related to the socioeconomic factors affecting the prospects and conditions for APS that is defined as a system based on the utilization of skilled human resources and flexible technology adapted to the needs of flexible and participative organisation. Among socioeconomic factors, some critical aspects for the development of APS will be focused, namely technological infrastructure, management strategies, perceived impact of introduction of automated systems on the division of labour and organisational structure, educational and vocational training and social actors strategies towards industrial automation. This analysis is based on a sample of industrial firms, built up for qualitative analysis, and on case studies analysis that can be reference examples for further development of APS, and not just for economic policy purposes alone.
We have also analysed the type of existing industrial relations, the union and employer strategies and some aspects of public policies towards the introduction of new technologies in the order to understand the extente to which there exists obstacles to and favorable conditions for the diffusion of anthropocentric systems. Finally some recomendations are presented to stress the trends for the implementation and development of anthropocentric production systems.
Chapter PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Keywords
References
Adler, P. S.: “Automation et qualification. Nouvelles orientation” (1987) Sociologie du Travail,N° 3;
Altmann, N. e Düll, K. (1978) New Form of Work Organisation and Job Design in the Federal Republic of Germany: A Survey of Measures, Studies and Sociological Requirements, in: EFILWC: New Form of Work Organisation in the European Community - Germany. Munich: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
Brandt, D. (1992)Advanced Experiences with APS,30 European Case Studies, FOP 246, Brussels, FAST/CEC.
Brödner, Peter (1990) Technocentric-anthropocentric Approaches: Towards skill-based Manufacturing, in: Warner, M.; Werner, W.; Brodner, P. (Ed.), New Technology and Manufacturing Management, John Wiley & Sons.
FAST: Human Work in Avanced Technological Environment, CEC, June 1989
Gélinier, O. (1984) Stratégie de l’entreprise et motivation des hommes, Paris, Hommes et Téchniques.
Hertog, J.F.; Schroder, P. (1989) Social Research for Technological Change: Lessons from national programmes in Europe and North America, MERIT - Maastricht Economic Research Institute on Innovation and Technology, University of Limburg, Maastricht.
Jaikumar, R. (1986) Post-industrial manufacturing, Harvard Business Review, 6.
Jones, B.; Kovacs, I.; Moniz, A.B. (1988), ‘Understanding What Is the Human Factors in CIM Systems: Some International Evidence’ in B.W. Rooks, CIM-Europe 1988 Conference: Present Achievements, Future Goals, Bedford, IFS Publication.
Kern, H.; Schumann, M. (1988) El Fin de la Division del Trabajo? Ministério de Trabajo y Seguridad Social, Madrid.
Kidd, P. (1992) Organisation, people and technology in European manufacturing, CEC, FAST, Brussels.
Kidd, P. (1988) Technology and engineering design: shaping a better future or repeating the mistakes of the past?, IEE PROCEEDINGS, Vol. 135, 5.
Kovacs, Ilona et al. (1992) Sistemas flexiveis de produaçäo e reorganizaçäo do trabalho, CESO I&D, PEDIP, DGI.
Kovacs, I. and Moniz, A.B. (1988) ‘Aspects sociaux de l’automation industrielle au Portugal: Analyse de quelques cas’ (Social Aspects of Industrial Automation in Portugal: Analysis of some Cases), in A.C. Gonçalves, A.T. Fernandes and C.L. d’Epinay (eds.), La Sociologie et les nouveaux défis de la modernisation, Oporto, AISLF/SSFLP.
Kovacs, I.; Steiger-Garçâo, A. and Moniz, A.B. (1987) ‘Flexible Production Systems and Work Organisation: The Portuguese Situation for the Nineties’, Proc. 8th EGOS Colloquium Technology as the Two-Edged Sword of Organisational Change, Antwerpen, EGOS.
Kovacs. I.; Moniz, A.B.; Mateus, A. (1991) Prospects for anthropocentric production systems in Portugal,CEC/FAST, Vol. 16, FOP 260, CEC.
Kovacs. I.; Moniz, A.B. (1994) Trends for the development of anthropocentric production systems in small less industrialised countries: The case of Portugal, Proc. European Workshop in Human Centred Systems, Univ. Brighton-ERASMUS, Brighton.
Lehner, F. (1992) Anthropocentric production systems: the European response to advanced manufacturing and globalization, Brussels, CEC.
Moniz, A.B. et al. (1989): Occupational Structure, Training and Labour Relations in the Metal Industries in Portugal, Lisbon, CESO I&D/CEDEFOP.
Moniz, A.B.; Kovacs. I.; Pereira, Z.L. (1994) “Quality and Work Organization with Advanced Automation in Portugal” in Kidd, P.; Karwowski, W.: Advances in Agile Manufacturing, Amsterdam, IOS Press, 675–679.
OCDE (1988) Nouvelle technologies, une estratégie socio-economique pour les années 90. OCDE, Paris.
Woomack, J. P. et al. (1990) The Machine that changed the world, Rawson Associates, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kovács, I., Moniz, A.B. (1995). Issues on the anthropocentric production systems. In: Camarinha-Matos, L., Afsarmanesh, H. (eds) Balanced Automation Systems. BASYS 1995. IFIP — The International Federation for Information Processing. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-34910-7_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-34910-7_12
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-4583-2
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-34910-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive