Investigating the effect on the learning curve of performing similar work during the break between work stints

摘要

This study is part of a larger research that aims to investigate the performance of workers along the learning curve, specifically by comparing those workers with work discontinuity with those without. In a previous paper published by the authors, it was shown that the performance of similar work during a break between stints of work helps in the continuation of worker performance along the learning curve, particularly if the similar work contains at least 40% the same work components as the work performed during the discontinued or broken stints, and furthermore if the similar work is performed continuously during the break between stints. This study performs a more detailed analysis by characterizing the effects on the learning curve, specifically on the decrease in processing time, by different levels of similarity (i.e., similarity as measured by the different percentages of work components being the same) between the work during the break and the work during the stints. This study finds different effects on the learning curve of the worker at the values of similarity of less than 20%, between 20% and 40% and greater than 40%.