Includes "Role of Computers in Reshaping the Work Force" (McConnell); "Semiconductors" (Moris); "Computer Manufacturing" (Warnke); "Commercial Banking Transformed by Computer Technology" (Morisi); "Software, Engineering Industries: Threatened by Technological Change?" (Goodman); "Job Creation…

A case study of Modern Apprenticeships in manufacturing companies partnered by two British further education colleges identified similarities and differences to traditional apprenticeships and changes in the role of colleges. (SK)

Describes how situated learning theory was employed in the design of Fab 13, a four-day simulation-based learning experience for manufacturing professionals at Intel Corporation. Presents a conceptual framework for understanding situated learning and discusses context, content, anchored instruction, facilitation, scaffolding, collaborating,…

A major goal of the manufacturing industry is increasing product quality. The quality of a product is strongly associated with the condition of the cutting tool that produced it. Catching poor tool conditions early in the production will help reduce defects. However, with current CNC technology, manufacturers still rely mainly on the operator's…

The author observes that environmental science is finding that industrial chemicals act like pharmaceuticals: a dose that won't hurt an adult can harm a fetus or a child; an amount that won't harm the mother can hurt her child in utero; some people are more sensitive than others to the effect; and one substance can interact with others and cause a…

Late work, a growing problem in the society, ultimately undermines the value delivered to the consumer. In this article, the authors have experienced a predisposition in students to turn their work in late. As educators of the next generation of professionals, they state that they must address societal problems, and teaching the importance of…

Purpose--What is required of job design and production planning, if they are to result in a work group taking a self-starting approach and going beyond what is formally required of it? This paper aims to contribute to group research by testing a theoretical model of relations between job design on the one hand (captured as completeness, demand on…

Two research projects examined the extent to which corporate commitment to human resource development is reflected in mission statements. In the first study, a questionnaire designed to elicit training data was sent to 333 Fortune 500 manufacturing and service firms; 81 completed questionnaires were returned. Sixty-nine percent of the respondents…

An executive of a large oil company and member of the International Tape Association, an organization for users and suppliers of audio-visual equipment, describes the usefulness of the association's services to trainers in business and industry in a telephone interview. (MS)

The author discusses rapid changes in the fields of numerical control (N/C) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and offers suggestions for vocational educators in meeting the need for trained workers and technically educated professionals and managers. (EA)

This report examines various topics and issues related to worldwide energy productivity and energy conservation. Following an introduction, these issues are considered in 6 sections focusing on: (1) energy demand projections (with data on 1982 energy consumption in selected countries); (2) continued industrial efficiency gains (including data on…

Robots are finally receiving wide-spread attention as a means to realize the goal of automating factories. In the 1960's robot use was limited by unfavorable acquisition and operating costs and the affordable control technology limiting applications to relatively simple jobs. During the 1970's productivity of manufacturing organizations declined…

These hearings focused on a number of bills that, in various degrees, call for new organizational arrangements in the federal government, for a stronger role in technological innovation. The central question addressed was whether the advancement of American technology needs the active participation of the federal government, be it in the currently…

The level of human support services provided by large manufacturing companies is not related to employee characteristics but to certain system variables, suggesting that services occur in response to system characteristics rather than to worker needs. (Author)

The principal human factors engineering issue in robotics is the division of labor between automation (robots) and human beings. This issue reflects a prime human factors engineering consideration in systems design--what equipment should do and what operators and maintainers should do. Understanding of capabilities and limitations of robots and…