SOURCES OF STRESS IN AN AUTOMATED PLANT

Computer-integrated manufacturing implementation is often hindered by human resource issues like stress. By focusing on one type of potential human obstacle to the integration of islands of automation in our exploratory case study, we examine the sources of stress and the lack of job control experienced in three functional departments: computer-aided design and manufacturing, manufacturing planning and control, and computer numerical control/robot manufacturing; we also suggest management interventions to alleviate stress in each group of workers. We used three methods to collect data: self-reporting, observation at the job level, and physiological screening. Our results indicated little difference in stress levels among the three groups. However, we found that each group faced a different set of pressures and exercised different levels of control over their jobs. We suggest specific managerial action to overcome the most critical pressures.