Research

We have carried out our research in collaboration with companies, employer federations and sector skills organisations in several manufacturing and service sectors in the UK. Given the objective of the project to carry out in-depth investigation of workplace activities (rather than sectoral surveys with very brief interactions with any one company) the number of sectors had to be small, but also so far as possible representative of industry trends. Also, we knew from previous research (see: Maths skills in the workplace project) that building relationships with companies was very time-consuming and fraught with delays and failures, so we decided to work with sectors where we had connections already in place.

For manufacturing, we chose two sectors: Packaging and Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing. These offer a useful contrast because the former is a (relatively) limited user of computer and information technology, and the latter is a sector where processes are highly-automated and computer-controlled. Later on in the project, we had the opportunity to gain access to the Automotive Industry, in the form of a UK-based luxury car maker. This is another "'high-tech" sector which offers useful contrasts with Pharmaceuticals.

Our research in manufacturing developed along two principle themes, both connected to the drive across nearly all companies now for greater quality and productivity in manufacturing processes:

Modelling manufacturing processes: The participation of all levels of employees in improving the quality of processes entails an understanding of processes and systems among shopfloor employees which previously has not been required. We have explored the use of software simulations which aim to engage employees in thinking about the mathematical relationships embedded in processes. [read more]

Statistical Process Control is a particular set of mathematics-based techniques applied in process improvement activities in workplaces (various methodologies exist, "Six Sigma" being the latest and most often discussed). We have again made use of software simulations to make statistical concepts more understandable for intermediate-level employees. [read more]

For service industry, we chose to work in the Financial Services sector, in particular focusing on "retail" financial products, which means companies that deal directly with the public as customers. This is a very large sector in the UK, which offered a lot of scope for large companies that we could approach, and a broad range of products (banking, mortgages, life insurance, pensions, etc) so as to have some contrast between companies.

The common theme that emerged across the finance companies we have worked with is that of modelling financial products. As with manufacturing, this theme reflects a growing need in companies for employees to understand the processes taking place "inside the system", in order to provide a greater quality of service to customers. [read more]

The project has been a member of the Special Interest Group on Learning and Technology at Work, part of the European Union's Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence, which has allowed us to interact with a number of teams of researcher across Europe. As part of this SIG, we organised an International Seminar on Learning and Technology at Work at the Institute of Education in March 2004: leading researchers from Europe and the USA were invited to present, and you can read papers and view streaming videos of their presentations on the seminar website.