| Popis: |
Work in some form is accepted as a socio-economic necessity for most of us. Can work be designed to provide personal fulfilment as well? Industrial engineers for the past one hundred years have been involved in the designing of the work place and the devising of work methods. Much of the pioneering work has been to provide jobs within man's physical and physiological capabilities in an acceptable environment. However, conventional thought seems to link their efforts to the debasement of the human by technological progress. Technical and economic considerations may have been overemphasized, but the criticism that man has been ‘dehumanized’ seems harsh. On the other hand, when the work of the social scientist is discussed the public attitude is that it is ‘ivory tower’ and seldom characterized by the practical realities of the industrial world. This paper is the joint effort of an industrial engineer and a social scientist. It analyses some of the work done in the Canadian industrial scene;from the viewpoint of human relations; and quality of work life. The outcomes conclude that the compatible union of the two disciplines can lead to better approaches, and perhaps easier solutions to problems related to work life in industry. “End of Abstract” For the past one hurdred years, industrial engineers have been involved in the design of the work place and in devising work methods. A major thrust of this engineering has been a more efficient utilization, and control of labour. This is not to imply that the engineer's design of work has been without consideration of man's needs, particularly with regard to the physiological and economic aspects of the work environment. Nevertheless, time-and-motion studies and other industrial engineering approaches have encountered increasing resistance, even sabotage, from the labour force. |
