Using CPI scales in defining monitor vs operator manufacturing requirements.

Anghel, Florina ; Nica, Gabriela Beatrice ; Cotet, Costel Emil 等

1. INTRODUCTION

When talking about manufacturing process another word that comes in mind is simulation. Before any manufacturing process is advisable to run a material flow simulation in order to determine eventual bottlenecks that slow down or even block the material flow. The first step for running a simulation always consists in building a model that reproduces the real production site. The model contains working points, devices used for parts transfer & transport across the production site and human labour used as operators and for maintenance operations.

2. HUMAN LABOUR ROLE IN MANUFACTURING PROCESS

In this paper we focus our attention on the human labour on an attempt to highlight the differences between an operator and a monitor. Our model is composed of 3 working points for part processing, 2 buffers located before the first and after the last work point, 4 conveyor belts for transport & transfer facility, one operator that operates the machines and one monitor that intervenes in case of break downs (Anghel et al., 2008).

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In fig. 1 we find M1, during simulation process, in different phases: 17% of the time--working properly; 17%--break down, waiting to be repaired; 66%--waiting for operator. We also generate a report for M2 (fig. 2) and obtained the following parameters: 65% of the time--working properly; 22%--break down, waiting to be repaired; 11%--waiting for operator; 2% waiting for parts. Then choosing the two human labour categories we must have in mind that their jobs demands are very different (Dragoi et al., 2006).

3. UNDERSTANDING DOUGLAS MCGREGOR X-Y THEORY

Douglas McGregor, an American social psychologist, proposed his famous X-Y theory in his book 'The Human Side of Enterprise'. Theory x and theory y are still referred to commonly in the field of management and motivation, and whilst more recent studies have questioned the rigidity of the model, McGregor's X-Y Theory remains a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management style and techniques. McGregor's X-Y Theory remains central to organizational development, and to improving organizational culture (McGregor, 2002). McGregor's work is based upon Maslow's hierarchy of needs, in that he grouped the hierarchy into "lower order" (Theory X) needs and "higher order"

(Theory Y) needs (Harris & McCaffer, 2001). Theory X and Theory Y, in traditional management styles were based on one of two major assumptions: 1. Workers are basically lazy and must be directed, threatened and negatively motivated (Theory X) or 2. Workers are basically goal oriented and self-motivated. It is right to offer them incentives and freedom (Theory Y). Theory Y is based on more humanistic values. It offers the following assumptions. The average person enjoys work. Work (the expenditure of physical and mental effort) is as natural as play or rest. It also assumes, the average person naturally works toward goals in which he or she has committed themselves to.

4. CASE STUDY

The 480 items on the CPI instrument are organized into 18 folk scales. The primary application for the CPI instrument is intended to be in the domain of work and organizational life The scales are further grouped into four broad categories or classes based on their interpretive meanings. The special purpose scales add discrimination for specific applications.

(Gough & McAllister).

The first class of folk scales measures interpersonal aspects of the person, such as self-confidence, poise, ascendancy, and social effectiveness.

The second class of scales measures internal values and normative expectations like maturity, personal values, self-control, and sense of responsibility.

The third class of scales measures achievement needs and cognitive tendencies including motivation, persistence, and organization.

The fourth class of scales assesses stylistic preferences for things such as insightfulness, adaptability, and sensitivity.

We applied California Psychological Inventory at a number of 86 students (42 female students and 44 male students). From the 18 scales of CPI, 6 were selected (Cs, So, Cm, Ac, Ai, and Fx) as the most relevant to the specific theory X vs. theory Y (table 1).

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In figures 3 & 4 we represented the profiles for both monitor and operator, based on the results provided by the 6 scales selected from CPI.

5. CONCLUSION

In order to ensure the employment of qualified personal for both operator & monitor we must determine two individual profiles corresponding to the two employee's category. After applying CPI, we obtained two profiles for specific requirements in accord to McGregor's X-Y theory, adapted with profile for operator--model X vs. profile for monitor--model Y.

By studying the results of CPI's selected scales we can establish that while the operator has a routine job that doesn't demand a lot of resources, creativity or freedom, the monitor must be driven by ambition, he must adapt and comfort with changes and have some freedom in actions. His role requires creativity because of the high possibility to confront with inedited situations.

6. REFERENCES

Anghel, F.; Cazacu, D.A. & Dobrescu, T. (2008). Virtual Machine Tools Models in Assembling Systems Material Flow Management, pp 0025-0026, Annals of DAAAM for 2008 & Proceedings of the 19th International DAAAM Symposium, ISBN 978-3901509-68-1, ISSN 1726-9679, Editor B. Katalinic, Published by DAAAM International, Vienna, Austria, October 22-25 Trnava, Slovacia

Dragoi G.; Cotet C. E.; Rosu L. & Rosu S.M. (2006). Role of the virtual networks in the Virtual Enterprise, The Journal of Mechanical Engineering Nr. 7-8, pag. 526-531, Ljubljana, Slovenia, ISSN 0039-2480

Gough H & McAllister L., Configural analysis report an interpretation of scale combinations, Available from: http://www.acer.edu.au/articles/pdf, Accessed on: 2006-0620

Harris F & McCaffer R. (2001). Modern construction management, Blackwell Publishing, 5th Edition, p136

McGregor D. (2002). Theory X and Theory Y. Workforce;, Vol. 81 Issue 1, p32

ANGHEL, F[lorina]; NICA, G[abriela] B[eatrice] & COTET, C[ostel] E[mil] *

* Supervisor, Mentor

Tab. 1. CPI's scales selected

Selected Characteristics Operator Monitor
scales

Cs Ambition for challenge Low High
 and social status value value

So Conformance with social Low High
 norms and customs value value

Cm Conventionality of High Low
 behavior and attitudes value value

Ac Motivation within High Low
 organized settings value value

Ai Motivation within Low High
 unstructured settings value value

Fx Adaptability and comfort Low High
 with change value value