title: The effects of interruption similarity and complexity on performance in a simulated visual-manual assembly operation.
abstract: The objective of the study was to assess the effects of interruption task similarity and complexity on performance of a simulated industrial assembly operation. Eighteen participants performed a simulated industrial assembly operation, including one trial with no interruption and eight others presenting an interruption task. Interruption conditions comprised a full crossing of task similarity to the primary assembly operation (similar, dissimilar) and complexity (simple, complex) with replication for each participant. Order of condition presentation was randomized. Findings revealed greater time to return to primary visual-manual assembly performance after a similar task interruption. Results also indicated complex interruptions may promote cognitive arousal that increases productivity following assembly interruptions. The majority of results are explained in terms of the Activation-Based Memory for Goals model. Findings provide some guidance for interruption management protocol design for workers engaged in procedural visual-manual assembly operations.
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pankok
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zahabi
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Wenjuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Inchul
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Yi-Fan
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Chang S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA. Electronic address: dbkaber@nscu.edu.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001288:Attention; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Manual assembly; Task interruptions; Worker productivity