Cognitive Optimization of Interactive Process Control : Evaluating Operator Motivation in Industrial Environments

Sammanfattning: Motivation is not something that we can take for granted. Some would say that motivation in the workplace is key for optimal performance and production. This master thesis looks into how shift-based operators in industrial work environments can sustain motivation, with the help of Self-Determination Theory, looking deeper into Autonomous motivation and how this can be a change in how operators perform, even in the long shift hours that are common in process control industries. This thesis aims to evaluate the current motivational drivers with operators. What keeps operators motivated in their work today? What type of motivation is lacking in their current workplace? And, how can they keep their motivation for a longer time? The method includes observations, surveying, and interviews. The results showed that there is a lower motivation in three subcategories of intrinsic behavior; Pressure/Tension, Perceived Choice, and Value/Usefulness. This thesis work is part of the research project Interactive Process Control, at Umeå University. By using these insights there is an opportunity to target these motivations in the future development of the IPC interactive tool.