The Volkswagenwerk AG project within the framework of the research programme ‘Humanization of Working Life’ of the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology: Comparison of work structures in machine production (engine assembly)

Abstract

This project was conceived with the objective of making possible a comparison of different work structures in engine assembly. The investigation concerns a comprehensive approach including both aspects relating to the workers concerned, and economic aspects. Moreover, within this approach individual influences are ‘controlled’ and the product was kept constant within the comparative framework of study. The project covers new ground in various areas; for realization of the objective account had to be taken of interdisciplinary needs, in terms of personnel and organization, thus a project team was formed which consisted of representatives of:

• 1. The Institute of Ergonomics of the Technical University of Darmstadt (Professor W. Rohmert);

• 2. The Chair of Industrial Psychology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Zurich (Professor E. Ulich); and

• 3. The Volkswagenwerk Aktiengesellschaft.¹

Project Manager, Humanization of Working Life Project, Volkswagenwerk AG.