The role of computer networks in aerospace engineering - Libraries and the Internet: Education, Practice & Policy

Library Trends, Spring, 1994 by Ann Peterson Bishop

INTRODUCTION: THE NEED FOR USER-BASED STUDIES OF ELECTRONIC NETWORKING

Both individual engineering organizations and the federal government in the United States are making large investments in computer networks (i.e., telecommunications links that connect computers to each other or to other devices) in order to, among other things, increase research and development (R&D) productivity, facilitate technology transfer, and improve industrial competitiveness. Federal policy-makers, network system designers and service providers, and workplace managers are struggling to implement effective systems and to develop appropriate policies to govern network implementation and use. The success of institutional networking endeavors--and national efforts, such as those associated with the National Research and Education Network or, more broadly, the National Information Infrastructure (NII)--will depend on the development of network features, policies, and support programs that are based on a solid knowledge of users' needs and habits and substantiated links between network use and engineering outcomes. But little empirical information has been gathered that can be used to help in understanding the impact of networking investments, designs, and policies on engineering work. And little is known about the extent of computer network use across different types of engineering organizations. Thus, many major investment, design, and policy decisions are being made solely on the basis of educated guesses about the current use of networks and the assumed contribution of networking to scientific and technical enterprises.

In order to help remedy this situation, the author undertook an empirical investigation of computer networking in engineering that collected data from the network user's point of view. The study's aim was to describe and explore the use of electronic networks by one particular group--aerospace engineers. It focused on the way that networks are currently used by aerospace engineers to facilitate communication and otherwise assist in the performance of work tasks. The study was guided by the following research questions:

1. What types of computer networks and network applications are currently used by aerospace engineers?

2. What work tasks and communication activities do aerospace engineers use computer networks to support?

3. What work-related factors are associated with the use of computer networks by aerospace engineers?

4. What are the impacts of network use on aerospace engineering work and communication?

In order to include subjects representing a wide range of work and communication activities and to look at as many aspects of the aerospace industry as possible, "aerospace engineer" was interpreted very broadly. It included people engaged in all phases of the development and production of military and commercial aeronautical or aerospace equipment and processes.

BACKGROUND: COMPUTER NETWORKING IN ENGINEERING SETTINGS

Engineers are employed to research, develop, design, test, and manufacture technology, which may exist in the form of either materials, products, systems, or processes. Engineering is a complex, information- and communication-intensive activity that involves invention, problem-solving, and coordination of many independent efforts (for interesting discussions of the nature of engineering work and communication, see Adams, 1991; Allen, 1977; Constant, 1984; Ferguson, 1992; Layton, 1974; Pinelli et al., 1993; and Vincenti, 1990). "Concurrent engineering," a notion that is currently popular in engineering management circles, focuses on the perceived need for better and faster communication, coordination, and integration of the work and information contributed by all of the people involved in the development, production, and marketing of a particular technology. Many engineering organizations are exploring the ability of computers and electronic networks to facilitate concurrent engineering and improve the performance of engineers and the technical quality of their work (see, for example, Dirr & Stockdale, 1989; Heiler & Rosenthal, 1989; Keen, 1986; Mishkoff, 1986; Rachowitz et al., 1991; Schatz, 1988). Industrial organizations hope that, by facilitating communication and improving coordination, electronic networks will decrease both the costs and time needed to bring products to market. Due to proprietary and security concerns, many engineering organizations have implemented their own private high-speed networks that are used only by their employees and affiliates. The need for the completely reliable electronic transfer of very large amounts of data also makes the use of most commercial networks inadequate for some industries and applications.

Today engineers use computers to perform calculations; to produce and evaluate drawings, designs, and prototypes (CAD/CAM); to maintain and archive the "corporate memory"--i.e., all the contracts, designs, schedules, assumptions, constraints, procedures, data, and so on, associated with each particular project; to write and edit documents and prepare presentations; to run project management software; and to control equipment. Computer networks are also playing an increasingly important role in engineering work. For example, engineers use networks to receive data collected by remote instruments. Networks facilitate the transfer of documents and designs and are used to automate the manufacturing process. Electronic data interchange (EDI) is used to exchange orders and invoices with vendors and suppliers, and contracts with clients and customers. Networks are also used for information retrieval in connection with both in-house and commercial databases (Gould & Pearce, 1991; Mailloux, 1989).