Social Science Research on Cad/CAM: Results of a First European Workshop

ISBN-13: 9783790803921 / Angielski / Miękka / 1988 / 289 str.

Michael Rader; Bernd Wingert; Ulrich Riehm

Opis

Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) are but two of the more recent examples of computer applications in domains previously dominated by human labour. The use of computers in such areas has increasingly attracted social science research. There are several reasons one could suggest for this, not least of them being the simple fact that public money is being provided for such research. Of course, some of the interest may be due to the wish to prove that technology is being used to inhuman ends, but undoubtedly there is also some degree of fascination involved. Can you really do all the things with computers that people claim you can? There is certainly satisfaction to be had from smugly pointing out its shortcomings, but many of the few sociologists in our own organisation are also among the most avid users of modern technology. Needless to say, they also belong to the most critical users of the technology! A new strain of motivation for social science research which appears to be gaining significance, is the desire to "re-direct" technology, or at least - and probably more realistically - to playa part in shaping future technology . The entire range of motives may be recognised in the collection of papers contained in this volume.

Spis treści

Editor’s Introduction: A Personal History of the European CAD/CAM Social Studies Network.- 1: National Reviews.- CAD/CAM and Social Science in Scandinavia.- Social Science Research on CAD/CAM in the UK.- Selected Results from German Language Studies in the Social Sciences on the Effects of CAD-Techniques.- CAD Applications in Italy — A Review.- The Hungarian CAD/CAM Scene.- Computer Aided Design in Switzerland.- Notes on Other Countries.- 2: The Nature of Design and the Effects of CAD/CAM.- Tacit Knowledge versus System Knowledge.- Selected Hardware and Software Criteria for a Comfortable CAD System.- CAD as Mental Labour. A Theoretical Approach and Some Practical Consequences.- CAD/CAE: Analysis of Technological Innovation with Special Attention for the Consequences as to the Quantity and Quality of Labour.- Psychosocial Factors in CAD/CAM Research and Development Activities.- 3: Implementation of CAD and Training.- Prior Knowledge and Learning in Computer Aided Tasks.- Management Strategies for the Introduction and Control of Interactive Computer Graphics Systems.- Decision-Making on CAD in Consulting Firms in Denmark.- New Technology in Vocational Training, Models and Regulations.- Conception of CAD/CAM Training for Technical Draughtsmen in a Model Experiment.- 4: Organizational Effects and CAD/CAM Integration.- Alternatives for the Integration of CAD/CAM.- Integrated CAD/CAM Systems and Organizational Latitudes on the Shop-Floor - Initial Findings and Hypotheses.- Taylorism and CAD/CAM. Remarks on the Potential Impact of New Technologies in Design and Production and on a Paradigm Switch in Industrial Sociology.- Organizational Alternatives in the Integration of CAD/CAM.- CAD/CAM Integration: Flexible Manufacturing Systems in the U.K..- The Organizational Impact of CAD in Italian Firms - Main Problems and Key Factors for Success.- CAD in Petro-Chemical Plant Design. The Development of CAD within Different Organizations and their Consequences for the Organization and Task Structure.- 5: The Development of CAD/CAM Systems.- CAD/CAM: Why, When, How? Some Examples in the French Industry.- Social Effects in the Relationship between Users and Suppliers of CAD/CAM Systems in Hungary.- 6: Utilization of Results and Cooperation between the Disciplines.- Utilization of Research Results by the Employees.- How Do We Feed Our Findings Back into the Design Process?.- For a More Comprehensive View of CAD. Some Reflections, Experience, and Questions from a CAD-Consultant, Aware of the Implications of the Technique.- Consequences on the Working Conditions on Site with Increased Use of CAD/CAM in Construction.