ACCOUNTANT'S FIELD

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1931, Page 14

ACCOUNTANT'S FIELD

INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY

The opinion that the skilled accountant could in some degree advise his clients in the matter of industrial psychology—which had made tremendous strides iv some of the older countries —was expressed by Mr. W. Appleton, F.1.A.N.Z., when addressing the Wellington branch of tho New Zealand Society of Accountants last'evening. "Wo in New Zealand know very little of the subject as yet, but the time is coming when, in order to compete with other parts of the world, we Bliall. have to adopt methods similar to those now in use .in England and America." ho said. "Thero is far too much newness effort in many of our industries. In one- big oil company in England, where seed-crushing is a big factor, there was achieved a SO per cent, reduction in labour costs, and the workers were delighted with tho new methods which wore introduced. In a margarine factory there was introduced j an improved implement, with a result that movement was reduced 16 per cent., and the timo'iiecessary to do the job was reduced 13 per cent. In eight 'different departments of a large linn increases of output varying from 12 per cent, to 44 per cent., with an average of 26 per cent., were achieved simply through a better arrangement of the raw materials and an improved distribution of tho work. "When I was going through the Bournville works at Cadbury's I was rather impressed by the fact that the girls nil had to take their turn in doing what might bo called the more monotonous tasks. This helped to increase production and made tho work easier for each individual employee. Iv another chocolate factory a close study of movement enabled a lot of novices iv. a five-week period to beat an experienced group of workers by 21 per cent, in tho matter of production. In many cases wo see a big waste in heat and in lighting efficiency. HOT THEORIES. "These nro not theories that 1 have been discussing, but actual facts taken from modern factories. In one instance, just to show that it was not just merely a question of speeding up for the time being, tho output was increased by 34 per cent., and to-day, after three years' trial, _ the extra turnover is being maintained. "I do not suggest that members of our profession should have- to go into a factory and work out ail the movements that arc necessary in producing an article, or something of that sort, but I do think that we should make a closer study of tho latest developments in industrial efficiency and thus bo in a better position to advise our clients.