The need for human skills in production —the case of CIM

Abstract

The relationship between man and automated systems is high-lighted in this paper by reference to a term very popular at present in the discussions about our production structures, i.e., CIM (computer integrated manufacturing). It stands for the technical means by which all areas of production can be closely interconnected for data exchanges. These possibilities have caused dissent about the proper shape of the factory of the future. The concept of an unmanned factory is opposed by ideas of a re-emergence of the human factor in production. This paper contains a plea in favor of regarding the human productive factor not as a residual quantity, but as a source of all productivity, especially in automated production processes.