Human factors in CIM: a European perspective

The paper enumerates some of the business and competitive pressures that are at work in manufacturing, which are slowly bringing about an increased awareness that the success of CIM lies not in removing or incapacitating shopfloor employees, but in handing over to them significant amounts of decision making authority and control. It describes the concept of human-centered CIM and the research and development work that has been undertaken in this area is mentioned, including projects funded by the Commission of the European Communities