Training Virtually Virtual

This paper reports from a longitudinal study of a Swedish manufacturer in the automotive industry, where a series of studies have explored the potential and limitations of computer-based training of assembly operators. The study is focusing on two supplementing sets of target variables – operators’ attitudes and the quality output from operators in real production. Starting with small-scale studies where proof-of-concept for virtual training is established, the research moves on to comparative studies where different computer-based learning models are contrasted and evaluated. The research design ends with large-scale field experiments assessing the effects of computer-based training in terms of quality output. The results clearly demonstrate that computer-based training, when integrated with training of standardized work procedures, outperforms traditional methods for operator training, regardless of the content and the context of the assembly operation. The findings of the study are synthesized into a design framework for virtual training where cognitive and craftsmanship training is contrasted to the learning of product, process, sequence and finesse of assembly.