Is there a clear understanding of using human factors and ergonomics at work?

Maria Lindholm; Elina Parviainen

doi:10.54941/ahfe1004164

Is there a clear understanding of using human factors and ergonomics at work?

Maria Lindholm, Elina Parviainen

Industrial Engineering and Management

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review

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Abstract

Human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) is a scientiﬁc discipline that aims to understand interactions among humans and other system elements. HF/E applies theory, principles, data, and methods in design to optimize overall system performance and sustainability by balancing organizational functions and the well-being of employees. However, in public discussion and in generic understanding, it is not clear what HF/E means, who HF/E specialists or ergonomists are, what they do, and where they work. Therefore, this study aimed to contribute to the above-described discussion. In this qualitative study, a questionnaire was used to collect international HF/E experts’ (n =8) opinions on the proactive design of work and work environments and interviews with Finnish professionals (n =9) were conducted. The results suggest that there is no clear picture of HF/E specialists used in proactive design-driven activities. This ﬁnding indicates that there is a need to widen the public discussion and view on HF/E specialists in workplaces.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Human Systems Engineering and Design (IHSED 2023): Future Trends and Applications
Subtitle of host publication	Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Human Systems Engineering and Design: Future Trends and Applications (IHSED 2023). September 27–29, 2023, University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Editors	Waldemar Karwowski, Tareq Ahram, Mario Milicevic, Darko Etinger, Krunoslav Zubrinic
Publisher	AHFE International
Pages	512-519
Number of pages	8
ISBN (Electronic)	978-1-958651-88-9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1004164
Publication status	Published - 2023
Publication type	A4 Article in conference proceedings
Event	International Conference on Human Systems Engineering and Design: Future Trends and Applications - University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia Duration: 27 Sept 2023 → 29 Sept 2023 Conference number: 5 https://www.ihsed.org/

Publication series

Name	AHFE International
Volume	112
ISSN (Electronic)	2771-0718

Conference

Conference	International Conference on Human Systems Engineering and Design: Future Trends and Applications
Abbreviated title	IHSED
Country/Territory	Croatia
City	Dubrovnik
Period	27/09/23 → 29/09/23
Internet address	https://www.ihsed.org/

Keywords

human factors and ergonomics
designing work
HF/E
HF/E specialist

Publication forum classification

Publication forum level 1

Access to Document

10.54941/ahfe1004164Licence: CC BY

Is there a clear understandingFinal published version, 526 KBLicence: CC BY

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202309067986Licence: CC BY

Cite this

Lindholm, M., & Parviainen, E. (2023). Is there a clear understanding of using human factors and ergonomics at work? In W. Karwowski, T. Ahram, M. Milicevic, D. Etinger, & K. Zubrinic (Eds.), Human Systems Engineering and Design (IHSED 2023): Future Trends and Applications: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Human Systems Engineering and Design: Future Trends and Applications (IHSED 2023). September 27–29, 2023, University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia (pp. 512-519). (AHFE International; Vol. 112). AHFE International. https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1004164

Lindholm, Maria ; Parviainen, Elina. / Is there a clear understanding of using human factors and ergonomics at work?. Human Systems Engineering and Design (IHSED 2023): Future Trends and Applications: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Human Systems Engineering and Design: Future Trends and Applications (IHSED 2023). September 27–29, 2023, University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia. editor / Waldemar Karwowski ; Tareq Ahram ; Mario Milicevic ; Darko Etinger ; Krunoslav Zubrinic. AHFE International, 2023. pp. 512-519 (AHFE International).

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title = "Is there a clear understanding of using human factors and ergonomics at work?",

abstract = "Human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) is a scientiﬁc discipline that aims to understand interactions among humans and other system elements. HF/E applies theory, principles, data, and methods in design to optimize overall system performance and sustainability by balancing organizational functions and the well-being of employees. However, in public discussion and in generic understanding, it is not clear what HF/E means, who HF/E specialists or ergonomists are, what they do, and where they work. Therefore, this study aimed to contribute to the above-described discussion. In this qualitative study, a questionnaire was used to collect international HF/E experts{\textquoteright} (n =8) opinions on the proactive design of work and work environments and interviews with Finnish professionals (n =9) were conducted. The results suggest that there is no clear picture of HF/E specialists used in proactive design-driven activities. This ﬁnding indicates that there is a need to widen the public discussion and view on HF/E specialists in workplaces.",

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booktitle = "Human Systems Engineering and Design (IHSED 2023): Future Trends and Applications",

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Lindholm, M & Parviainen, E 2023, Is there a clear understanding of using human factors and ergonomics at work? in W Karwowski, T Ahram, M Milicevic, D Etinger & K Zubrinic (eds), Human Systems Engineering and Design (IHSED 2023): Future Trends and Applications: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Human Systems Engineering and Design: Future Trends and Applications (IHSED 2023). September 27–29, 2023, University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia. AHFE International, vol. 112, AHFE International, pp. 512-519, International Conference on Human Systems Engineering and Design: Future Trends and Applications, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 27/09/23. https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1004164

Is there a clear understanding of using human factors and ergonomics at work? / Lindholm, Maria; Parviainen, Elina.
Human Systems Engineering and Design (IHSED 2023): Future Trends and Applications: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Human Systems Engineering and Design: Future Trends and Applications (IHSED 2023). September 27–29, 2023, University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia. ed. / Waldemar Karwowski; Tareq Ahram; Mario Milicevic; Darko Etinger; Krunoslav Zubrinic. AHFE International, 2023. p. 512-519 (AHFE International; Vol. 112).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review