Assembly line worker integration and balancing problem

Abstract

We propose the Assembly Line Worker Integration and Balancing Problem (ALWIBP), a new assembly line balancing problem arising in lines with conventional and disabled workers. The goal of this problem is to maintain high productivity levels by minimizing the number of workstations needed to reach a given output, while integrating in the assembly line a number of disabled workers. Being able to efficiently manage a heterogeneous workforce is especially important in the current social context where companies are urged to integrate disabled workers. In this paper we present mathematical models and heuristics that can help assembly line managers to cope with this additional complexity; demonstrating by means of a robust benchmark how this integration can be done with losses of productivity that are much lower than expected.