LABORATORY STUDIES OF REPETITIVE WORK 1: PACED WORK AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO UNPACED WORK

Abstract Two types or paced work are identified. A model, based on unpaced performance, is proposed for Type 2 pacing and predictions based on this model are compared with the experimental results from seven subjects. The effect on paced performance of varying the machine rate, the tolerance and of individual differences in operators are investigated The main findings of the research are that in Type 2 pacing: (1) it is possible to predict paced from unpaced performance with reasonable accuracy, (2) the effect of tolerance is critical, (3) unless tolerance is very large the rate of work which gives greatest output will be substantially less than the rate at which operatives will perform unpaced, (4) each operative has an optimum rate of work, running a machine above or below this rate will reduce output, (5) operatives should be very carefully selected and be well trained A progress report on the experiments, from which these findings are taken, will appear in the next issue of the Journal.