Employing disabled workers in production: simulating the impact on performance and service level

AbstractDisabled people can be successfully employed in most production processes, provided that one knows how to exploit their abilities and take into account their limitations in order to give them an appropriate job. However, because the level and type of production must be constantly adapted to the needs of the market, the involvement of disabled people in the production process may also change. Additionally, people with disabilities have limitations as well as additional rights that must be considered. As a result, the organisation and planning of their work, side by side with other employees, becomes more complex. Computer simulations can be a support for organising and planning the involvement of employees with disabilities in production processes. The aim of the article is to show how simulations can facilitate the organisation of work of employees with disabilities, with the changing demand for manufactured products. The paper identifies the factors that should be considered, and then presents how the employment of disabled people can affect the operation of the production line and the commercial image of the company. The study uses a combination of System Dynamics and Discrete Event Simulations. The relevant data for the simulation were derived from a production company.KEYWORDS: Manufacturing systemsmodellingsystem dynamicsdiscrete event simulationdisabled employees Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Availability of dataThe authors confirm that the data supporting the findings are available in the article.Additional informationNotes on contributorsPaweł LitwinPaweł Litwin is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Rzeszow University of Technology (Rzeszow, Poland). His main research area is the industrial application of numerical simulation: analysis of material and information flow in manufacturing systems and supply chains, operation of industrial systems in the socio-economic environment. He also carries out research in engineers education for the industry of the future and sustainable development goals achievement.Dario AntonelliDario Antonelli is an associate professor at the Department of Management and Production Engineering, Politecnico di Torino (Torino, Italy). He lectures on Manufacturing Systems, Advanced Die Design and Production Technology courses. His recent research includes Human-Robot Collaboration in Assembly, Die-life Estimation through Finite Elements Simulation, Inclusive Production supported by Machine Learning and Robotics.Dorota StadnickaDorota Stadnicka works at Rzeszów University of Technology in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics as Associate Professor and head of Lean Learning Academy Polska. Her research interests are related to: Production Engineering; Intelligent manufacturing systems; Human-robot collaboration; System engineering; Sustainable development; Production Management; Knowledge Management; Production Systems; Lean Manufacturing; Six Sigma; Quality Management Systems; System Certification.