FACTORS INFLUENCING WORKERS ATTITUDES TO ADVANCED TRAINING IN HIGHLY AUTOMATED FIRMS

Interviews and tests were conducted with 427 workers from 39 highly au tomated production plants, and data on their working places and firms were taken in order to gain insight into the factors influencing the w orkers' attitudes to advanced training. A three-level multivariate mod el was cross-validated by linear structural equation modelling with th e data of 319 workers with advanced training experience. Such experien ce (its agreeableness and usefulness) as well as aspects of personalit y (self concept, aspirations for the future, technical interests and i ntelligence) showed to be especially influential on the workers' attit udes to advanced training. Their age as well as organizational charact eristics like the amount of advanced training promoted by the firms an d the degree of automation were further influencing factors. The 108 w orkers without previous advanced training had less complex working pla ces and showed less job satisfaction and problem solving initiative.