Publication Date

1965

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Sims, Clarence A.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Management

LCSH

Job analysis; Petroleum--Refining; Industrial technicians

Abstract

PURPOSE OP THE STUDY: It has become more apparent, in recent years, that many repetitive and sub-professional tasks are being performed by professional individuals. This study evaluates the utilization of technical assistants presently employed in the design section of a Midwest Refinery and defines technical work requirements of the department. The criterion used for determining what constitutes technical work was a definition adopted by the Engineers' Council for Professional Development, National Society of Professional Engineers during their annual Meeting in 1953. Present opinions, regarding the need for technicians, place the requirement of technicians, at two or three for every engineer. This study calculated the technician to engineer ratio from data obtained and compared it to the present proposed ratio in an attempt to substantiate the proposed ratio with an actual case investigation. A cost comparison of salary expenses presently incurred and salary expenses required when the department work complement is correlated to technical and professional departmental work requirements was performed to determine the financial aspect of proportioning engineers and technicians to work requirements. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: Work projects studied involved approximately, $750,000,00 and 1,200 man-hours of engineering or technical work. This study failed to substantiate the editorial of Illinois Engineer which stated that "informed estimates puts the ideal number of technicians at two to three for every engineer" The reasons for this inconsistency is probably two-fold. First, the engineer classifying his work has a human tendency to consider all work which requires a highly trained technician as professional work. Secondly, this study was done in a highly complex industry, where action and interaction of various processes and changes tend to affect a great number of functional dependent activities. It appears that the hypothesis made in this study is valid. The number of technicians employed is insufficient. A ratio of seven technicians to five engineers would handle most projects and flexibility of work load could allow this ratio to vary between 1.0 and 2.0 as the individual projects require. Analysis of data obtained indicates a ratio of less than 1.0 is not consistent with the work requirements. Cost comparison calculations indicate a $4,000.00 per year decrease in salary expense is possible should proposed changes in work force occur.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (leaf 45)

Extent

v, 45 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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