Available online
Description
The programme examines the relationship between automation in industry and an increased demand for job enlargement.
The programme examines the relationship between automation in industry and an increased demand for job enlargement.
| Module code and title: | T262, Man-made futures: design and technology |
|---|---|
| Item code: | T262; 07 |
| First transmission date: | 15-06-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:35 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | John Richmond |
| Contributors: | Stephen F. Cotgrove; David Elliott |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Advanced automation; Banking; Current technology; Ford production line; High technology; Job enlargement; Job satisfaction; Philips; Transport; Unemployment |
| Footage description: | Film shots of a Ford car production line. Commentary by several car workers lists some of their dissatisfaction with assembly line work. Film shots of fan heaters being assembled at Philips Electrical Ltd. where a measure of job enlargement has been introduced. Film excerpts from a BBC 'Money at Work' programme showing engine assembly work at Saab in Sweden. Here a great deal of job enlargement has been introduced. Dave Elliott introduces Stephen Cotgrove. Stephen Cotgrove discusses some of the limit; as well as advantages of job enlargement schemes. To contrast the differences in skill required when an operation is automated, film shots show a milling operation carried out first by a skilled craftsman and then when the operation is computer controlled with the operator merely starting the sequence. Film shots at the Royal Dutch Steel Corporate show an almost fully automated steel production process in operation. Mike Cooley, TASS (AUEW), gives some of the union's objections to the introduction of automation. Dave Elliott and Stephen Cotgrove discuss these criticisms of work automation. Effects of automation on service industries such as transport are examined. Film shots show a British Rail experimental automated train control system in operation. Film shots of Victoria Line trains running in London. This operation is fully automated. Film shots show some of the automated procedures in a bank including experimental work on automated recognition of signatures. Response of the trad e union movement to automation is discussed by Michael Cooley. John Marsh, British Institute of Management, discusses some of the advantages that technology can hold for the workforce (shorter working hours, longer holidays, etc.) Michael Cooley continues to discuss the reaction of trade unions to high technology in industry. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71523 |
| Production number: | 00525_5153 |
| Videofinder number: | 2673 |
| Available to public: | no |
