FACTORS INFLUENCING SUCCESS IN THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES (AUTOMATION)

This research was undertaken to determine what factors contribute to success in the introduction of new production processes. The research examines the problems involved in the interaction between R&D and production during the implementation of new processes and the reactions of operators to new production processes.;The 33 propositions were tested with data obtained from 98 respondents who were involved in 14 new process implementation projects at four field sites.;The data analysis determined that 18 of the study's 33 propositions were supported by the data.;The most significant finding of this study is that there is an extremely high correlation between the acceptance, by production personnel, of the goals and methods of a new process implementation project and the degree of success of the implementation effort.;Thirty-three propositions were tested to determine their relative influence on success in the introduction of new production processes. These propositions fell under the following three general categories: (1) conflict between the group that developed a new process (R&D) and the group that used the process (production); (2) management systems used in the introduction of new processes; (3) resistance to change by operators of new processes.;Two other extremely important factors in the successful introduction of new processes are the degree of planning for implementation and the clarity in the assignment of tasks in the implementation effort.;The integration of the development group (R&D) and the users of the new process (production) in an implementation project team during a new process introduction is also critical to its success.