In the Era of Digitalising Shop Floor Management: In Blissful Ignorance of Superfluous Work

Abstract

This study aims to understand the extent of superfluous work at shop floors and suggests some managerial opportunities for reducing superfluous work. Drawing on the abductive reasoning, the research systematically combines a theoretical conceptualisation of decision-making processes in a digitalised manufacturing with an empirical enquiry of a smart manufacturing. The paper reveals superfluous work if decision-making processes cross disciplinary and/or organisational boundaries. Superfluous work occurs because of lacking data and information to guide reflective thinking and knowledge sharing. In relation to high complex decision making the ongoing implementation of workarounds does also cause superfluous work. Prerequisites for reducing superfluous work are accessibility of applicable data to guide reflective thinking and knowledge sharing.