Title
Positive outcomes of participatory ergonomics in terms of greater comfort and higher productivity
Author
Vink, P.
Koningsveld, E.A.P.
Molenbroek, J.F.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2006
Abstract
Ergonomics sometimes has a negative connotation, as it is seen to be connected to illness or guidelines that limit innovations. This paper is focused on the positive aspects of ergonomics in improvement of the working environment. It consists of a part that studies the literature on success factors in the process towards higher productivity and greater comfort, the formulation of a model and a hypothesis, which is illustrated by four cases. The model distinguishes the success factors in 'goal', 'involvement' and 'process'. Goals: evidence is found in the literature that a positive approach has benefits in terms of shareholder value and productivity, and for comfort. Involvement: the literature shows that participation of end-users and management contributes to success. Process: in the process it is essential to have a good inventory of the problems, a structured approach, a steering group responsible for the guidance, and end-users involvement in testing of ideas and prototypes. It is hypothesized that the chance of success increases by empowerment (making the end-user responsible for deciding on the next step in the process) and positive experiences of end-users with the potential improvement (end-users feel or see the benefits). The four cases illustrate that the hypothesis can be used in evaluating cases. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Subject
Ergonomics
Comfort
Experiencing alternatives
Participatory ergonomics
Productivity
Economics
Health care
Human engineering
Mathematical models
Productivity
User interfaces
Ergonomics
Decision making
Empowerment
Experience
Human
Hypothesis
Knowledge
Management
Model
Motivation
Practice guideline
Process design
Process model
Work environment
Consumer Participation
Efficiency
Goals
Humans
Models, Theoretical
Occupational Health
Organizational Case Studies
Organizational Innovation
Problem Solving
Program Development
Psychology, Industrial
Workplace
Arbeidsproductiviteit
Modellenonderzoek
Ergonomie
Veilig ontwerp
Productiviteit
Medezeggenschap
Humanisering van de arbeid
Kwaliteit van de arbeid
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:29ab71be-e01a-4c26-8556-c09bfa223a2b
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2006.04.012
TNO identifier
239339
ISSN
0003-6870
Source
Applied Ergonomics, 37 (4 SPEC. ISS.), 537-546
Document type
article