Worker assessment and the provision of developmental activities with advanced technology: An empirical study

Research indicates the importance of providing appropriate workforce development for the successful implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs). However, research has often assumed that a direct relationship between advanced technology and workforce development exists with limited consideration to intervening factors. This paper suggests that workers may be important '' intermediaries '' between the socio-technical elements through their role as assessors of developmental activities within the AMT workplace. The role of contextual factors (i.e., environmental uncertainty, empowerment and competitive developmental expenditures) to influence the impact of worker assessments on workforce development decisions was also examined. Regression results indicate that workers assessments significantly influence plant decisions regarding workforce development activities. These findings support the role of worker assessments as '' intermediary '' factor within the social-technical system. Findings indicate that contextual variables did not influence the relationship between worker assessments and plant developmental decisions. Contrary to expectations, the impact of worker assessment on developmental decisions did not increase with the complexity of AMTs utilized. The implications of this research to the workplace and future research questions are provided. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.