Analysis of the influence of process complexity and employee competence on the effect of digital assistance in industrial assembly

The diversification of products increases the complexity of production, which intensifies the demands placed on employees. Digital assistance is expected to improve employee performance and flexibility. This paper examines the impact of digital assistance on labor productivity (hourly output) and experience of use in dependence on process complexity and employee competence. Within the framework of an empirical study in the process learning factory CiP of the TU Darmstadt, the effect was quantified using the example of a typical assembly process. This paper presents the concept and the results of the study. After the classification of an assembly task, these results can be used to support the selection decision for a digital assistance system according to cost–benefit aspects.