The paper reports on initial development of a simple tool to be used by decision makers for preliminary assessment of benefits in automation and information technology projects. A mathematical model for making such assessment is presented, together with the description of a tool prototype. Initial results from using the tool indicate that it has a good potential in making such assessments more efficient, but still some improvements of the tool and the underlying concepts are needed.

This paper makes a contribution towards justifying the development of human-centred systems by reviving the debate about how to persuade stakeholders and other decisionmakers to vote in favor of these systems development approaches. It starts by a general discussion on how cost-effective the development of human-centred systems can be. Then the relevant part of the comprehensive human-centred systems design framework by William B. Rouse is given as an example of methodology where the issues of justification are systematically covered. Finally, some results from case studies made in Europe are quoted, with the intention to contribute some more evidence supporting the fact that human-centred systems design is superior not only from the purely functional viewpoint, but also can be justified in factual bottom-line (i.e. economic) terms.

The study presented in this paper is part of a wider research into practical testing and further improvement of methods and tools for human-centred design and evaluation of complex socio-technical systems and advanced technology-based products. A computer-aided collaborative system supporting just-in time (JIT) delivery of components in the manufacturing of electrical energy meters was evaluated by means of criteria for human-centred design. For this purpose, the existing KOMPASS method was extended for use in evaluation of service-type socio-technical systems. Results show, first, that the extended KOMPASS method is appropriate for evaluation of collaborative systems, and second, that the evaluated system has the greatest potential for improving its working efficiency and cost-effectiveness in a more flexible allocation of functions between humans and machines.

Based on work done within a case study from the production of veneers, the article proposes a pragmatic approach to the development of managerial decision support systems (DSSs) that leads to more efficient implementation and simpler use of such systems. The proposed approach is illustrated by a simple prototype DSS for solving the specific cutting stock problem from the production of veneers. In this sense, the purpose of the study was to check whether a simple-to-use managerial DSS can be developed efficiently for users lacking detailed operations research (OR) knowledge, starting from available commercial mathematical programming software. After selecting the locally most convenient OR package, the main emphasis of the study was put into developing an appropriate user-friendly graphical interface. Results of the study show that the approach is very promising, particularly for small and medium-size organizations. It is proposed to make further case studies in different enterprise settings, in order to collect enough experience for elaborating detailed guidelines for applying the proposed approach in other decision support situations.

This paper considers human-centered and socially appropriate robots as well as automation systems within the context of their cost-effectiveness. Usually, the objection of system designers is that approaches for human-centered and socio-technical design result in systems that are more expensive than those made by traditional methods, and are therefore not truly affordable, in particular for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This widespread opinion is challenged in the paper by some arguments supporting the forecast that human-centered and socio-technical design will soon become justifiable in tangible (economic) as well as intangible benefits for all involved partners, including society at large.

Abstract. Discussions on Social Impact of Automation are active in IFAC for more than three decades. The paper presents the main issues from past research and development in the area, indicates most likely trends and puts forward some basic premises for further development. The authors argue that it is necessary now to revisit the social impact of automation, in order to become ready for new challenges. They propose essentially two things: first, to look at the social impact of automation from a wider perspective, and second, to increase the intensity of working on these issues in the future.

This paper presents an example of a less known socially appropriate approach for managing technological change that is able to empower individuals, teams and even larger social groups to become more competent in coping with changes and consequent social instabilities brought about by the introduction of new technology. An original approach and methodology, both called COPIS, are shortly described that can serve for teaching people the required Change-Management knowledge in the fonn of typical workshops and through perfonning practical projects. The reported approach has been successfully used in the post-socialist countries of the Balkan region.

Based on three consecutive inquiries about the relative importance of six automation success factors, made in 1993, 1996 and 2000 in Slovenia, the paper presents an analysis of variation over time. The following success factors were studied: involvement of management, education, economic justification of automation investments, organisation, technology as well as human, social and cultural aspects. It was found that the variation of the relative importance of these success factors in Slovenia is not very expressed.

An attempt has been made to develop a decision support system (DSS) for safety improvement using a multi-step knowledge discovery process involving multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), t-SNE algorithm and K-means clustering. MCA is used for dimension reduction and perceptual mapping from categorical data. Usually, the first two dimensions are used for perceptual mapping if these two dimensions explain a significant percentage of variance. Otherwise, the traditional method of two dimensional mapping, leads to loss of important categorical information involved with other dimensions. Considering the above, a novel R2-profile approach, as an alternate to inertia based approach, is adopted to obtain the desired number of dimensions to be retained without loss of significant amount of information. t-SNE technique reduces the high dimensional data into two dimensional (2D) map, which provides the associations amongst different categories. K-means clustering grouped the 2D categories in homogenous clusters as per the similarities of the categories. A novel kernel category based chi-square distance method is proposed to identify sub-clusters within a cluster which subsequently provides useful rules for safety improvement. The methodology also provides a logical approach of dimension reduction in a form called ‘funnel diagram’. Finally, the DSS is applied to analysing near miss incidents occurred in electric overhead traveling (EOT) crane operations in a steel plant. Several safety rules are identified and safety interventions are proposed.

Abstract This paper examines how Sliding-Mode Control (SMC) technology can be implemented more effectively and, at the same time, serve as a means to enable profound organisational change. A framework for effective SMC technology implementation (called “the SMC Model”) is derived and introduced. The key message of the paper is that the approach and methodology dealing with this kind of technology must seriously take into account the existing cultural, economic, political and social environment of the organisation intending to introduce advanced technology. The arguments are supported by a short description of some results and experiences of introducing the SMC model in Armenia.

This paper presents a vision of engineering and management research as a regional development tool. It also sees these research efforts in a wider context, leveraging economic development and encouraging inter-cultural exchange that is neither imperialistic nor deterministic. It briefly outlines the key elements of the approach and presents some arguments for adopting this approach in western European-Balkan region knowledge production partnerships.

In this position paper, a vision of an inter-disciplinary and multi-cultural group of European researchers and practitioners is outlined, showing how the social, cultural and technological imperatives in the deployment of complex human-machine systems can be integrated. This vision will be realised in the form of a wide regionally networked organisational adaptation support information and communication system called OASIS. The OASIS network will assist in knowledge and technology transfer between the European Union and the European post-socialist countries. The strategic research foundations of OASIS, the project itself and the basic architecture of OASIS are briefly presented, emphasising its human - system interfaces, working processes and protocols.

Firm competitiveness today is intimately related to levels of innovation and the ability to produce and exploit new knowledge. Most EU firms face international competition on a truly global basis and operate in increasingly information-intensive environments. Set against this context, the paper addresses two related issues of fundamental importance to economic development: the competitiveness of indigenous small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the development of an information society.

The authors of the paper argue that a) the business and management aspects of the organisation introducing advanced technology are the key factors to be dealt with thoroughly before any serious implementation of advanced technology begins and b) the approach and methodology dealing with these key factors must seriously take into account existing cultural, economic, political and social environment of the organisation intending to introduce advanced technology. The arguments are supported by references to business-driven approaches from highly developed countries as well as by giving a short description of the less known COPIS approach and method.

The paper proposes to exploit and teach Change-Management knowledge, in order to empower individuals, teams and even larger social groups to become more competent in coping with changes. An original approach and methodology, both called COPIS, are shortly described that can serve for teaching people the required Change Management knowledge in the form of typical workshops and through performing practical projects. The respective COPISapproach and methodology have been successfully used in areas of business improvement, process re-engineering, quality management and technology management. Based on partly original psychological, sociological and management concepts, this same approach can be applied for conflict management and prevention, particularly in situations of greater complexity.

An approach to applying advanced technology is proposed. It is designed as help for considering the non-technical aspects of using new technology in a simple and structured way. The control technology and the information technology are taken as representative examples of advanced technology. The approach is called “holistic” because it is structured around four main dimensions of developing and implementing advanced technology: the technical dimension, the non-technical dimension, the lifecycle dimension and the system dimension. A case study illustrating the use of the approach in a Slovenian company is briefly presented.

SUMMARY Maintaining the vitality of human resources is as important as maintaining the level of capital equipment. In this paper a model for the continuing education of industrial professionals in the field of control technology in Slovenia is presented. The main idea concerns a programme of courses that serve to disseminate knowledge through active learning. The programme was launched by means of a Tempus project. The main achievement is the cluster of eight courses that already runs on a regular basis. The first experiences, resulting from positive initial response from industry, are summarized and some of the problems and perspectives are outlined.

Process control systems are operated more or less in isolation from business systems relating to the same plant. As the potential benefits of integration have become clearer. there have been several attempts to link process control and business control systems. One aspect of linking is described in this paper. A primary function of a process control system, which was in 1996 successfully installed in a Slovenian brick/work, is efficient control of the drying process in the factory. and so far this system is conceived as classic computer-based process control systenl. With regard to the possible need to incorporate this control system into a future CIM information system, a concept of flexible recipes was applied as a possible integration link between planning. which is a typical business-level activity, and process control which is a production-level activity. Flexible recipes thus may provide a modest contribution to the integration of shop floor control and logistical functions.