The introduction of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) and its impact on skilled workers' perceptions of communication, interaction, and other job outcomes at a large manufacturing plant

From a sociotechnical systems theory framework, this study investigates the effect of the introduction of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) on communication, interaction, and other job outcomes at a large manufacturing firm. Ninety-four skilled workers, some with supervisory responsibility, responded to a mail questionnaire about the introduction of industrial robots on a manufacturing line. It was hypothesized that the introduction of industrial robots, a form of AMT, would result in predictable changes in communication and interactions. in addition, ii was further suggested that these changes would have an effect on certain job outcomes such as workers' perceptions of job satisfaction, job influence, and job control. Study results show that the introduction of AMT was associated with significant increases in the amount of information to process, increase in informal communication, decreases in some forms of formal communication, increases in both intraunit and interunit communication (especially the latter), more face-to-face and machine communication (e.g., use of VDT's), more supervisory communication, more working together on teams, and more feedback on job problems. Many of these increases are accentuated for those skilled workers who spend more of their time with industrial robots, an advanced form of AMT. Finally, many of the changes in communication and interaction were positively related to workers' job satisfaction. However, the effect of these factors on job influence and job control was mixed. The factor of more avenues or opportunities to communicate informally about job problems was related positively to job influence and control. However, the presence of more supervision during early implementation and tighter monitoring of job performance was related negatively to job influence and control. Job satisfaction and job influence was somewhat higher for skilled workers who spent more time than others with industrial robots.