Operators' competence and capabilities are important disturbance abatement factors to achieve manufacturing system robustness. Empirical studies carried out at 14 manufacturing companies included a comparison of different actors' opinion of operator work tasks, competence requirements, and in what sense operator contribution is crucial in development work. The results indicate several contradictions between different actors e.g. that continuous competence development is needed, especially within production scheduling, but that it has low priority due to high production pressure, temporary personnel etc. Several benefits for operator contribution in development work is identified. However, a major hindrance is lack of strategies in how to involve operators in a manufacturing dynamic situation.