Research on Task Switching of Multi-skilled Employees Based on NIRS Technology

Abstract

In enterprise production, task similarity and switching frequency have significant effects on employees' brain cognitive load and job performance under dynamic multi task processing. In this paper, Lego car model was used to simulate the manual assembly operation, and a two factor task switching experiment of similarity and switching frequency (2×3) was carried out. The data of oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb) concentration in left and right prefrontal lobes of 36 subjects were collected by near infrared optical brain imaging equipment (NIRS). The results show that there is no significant difference in the assembly error rate and the total completion time of task similarity, but the dissimilar task will lead to a sharp increase in O2Hb and an increase in task switching reaction time (RT) compared with similar tasks. Switching frequency had significant effects on task performance and cognitive load. Low frequency switching can improve employee's brain flexibility and reduce brain fatigue caused by repeated assembly. However, task assembly error rate and cognitive load will increase significantly under high frequency switching. The results of this study provide a basis for further understanding the relationship and change of cognitive load and job performance in assembly production. It provides a theoretical scheme for enterprise managers to optimize work plan, reasonably allocate production resources and realize efficient and sustainable production.