The Motivation Based on Customer Interaction

Are Automotive Product Development Engineers at a Disadvantage?

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14738/abr.79.6922

Keywords:

Product development engineers; automotive; motivations; customer requirements

Abstract

Many factors and theories of motivation apply broadly to workers regardless of profession.  The prior research has shown that engineers and knowledge workers are highly motivated by intrinsic and non-monetary factors such as challenging work, recognition for good results, and the opportunity for professional growth.  Therefore, the nature of their assigned tasks and their ability to complete their work in an efficient and robust way are highly related to motivation.  Product Development Engineers (PDEs) play a crucial role in creating value and revenue for companies via the development of useful new products for customers. It is, however, a general observation that PDEs in automotive companies, especially at original equipment manufacturer, OEM, levels, often have minimal or no interaction with the end customer. With the advent of hybrid, electric, and autonomous vehicles, PDE working in the automotive industry, APDEs, has seen a shift in their role and responsibilities from traditional automotive PDEs. APDEs mostly receive customer input indirectly from management or through a marketing organization.  This is in contrast to other professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and architects who frequently interact directly with their customers. 

This paper presents the finding of qualitative research, examining the relationship between APDEs interaction with customers, and achieving clear customer inputs. The paper investigates differences among various types of APDEs and seeks further insights as to the motivational impact of customer inputs on automotive PDEs. It also probes the question if there are any differences among various types of automotive PDEs when it comes to motivation. The paper concludes that, for some types of APDEs, the lack of customer interaction is a motivational disadvantage while for the others it is not. It also concludes that further research needs to be conducted in order to find the reasons for such discrepancies.

Author Biographies

Muhammad S Ahmed, Eastern Michigan University

Associate Prof

Engineering Management

John Weisgerber

In the 1980's John earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University with a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics.  His first programming job was for a small machine vision company called Synthetic Vision Systems in Ann Arbor, Michigan making vision systems for quality control of electronics.  That experience turned into a large part of his career with increasing responsibilities and through the course of multiple buyouts and mergers.   Since then, he has been involved with software supporting automation.  First at Parker Hannifin in Southern Ohio, developing software for their HMI and motion control products.  Then most recently back in Ann Arbor, Michigan supervising a Software QA group at Phoenix Contact for their PLC programming and HMI development software tools.  John is a believer in lifetime learning and is now nearing completion of a master’s degree in the Engineering Management Program at Eastern Michigan University.

References

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Published

2019-09-10

How to Cite

Ahmed, M. S., & Weisgerber , J. (2019). The Motivation Based on Customer Interaction: Are Automotive Product Development Engineers at a Disadvantage?. Archives of Business Research, 7(9), 71–88. https://doi.org/10.14738/abr.79.6922