TY - CONF

T1 - Integrating ergonomics into the product development process.

A1 - Broberg,Ole

AU - Broberg,Ole

PB - Elsevier BV

PY - 1997

Y1 - 1997

N2 - A cross-sectional case study was performed in a large company producing electro-mechanical products for industrial application. The purpose was to elucidate conditions and strategies for integrating ergonomics into the product development process thereby preventing ergonomic problems at the time of manufacture of new products. In reality the product development process is not a rational problem solving process and does not proceed in a sequential manner as decribed in engineering models. Instead it is a complex organizational process involving uncertainties, iterative elements and negotiation between key actors. Design and production engineers have a great influence on ergonomics in manufacturing departments. Ergonomics considerations are partly taken into account by production engineers but not as a part of standard operating procedures. There is a number of differences between design and production engineers regarding information sources in problem solving, communication pattern, perception of ergonomics, motivation and requests to support tools and methods. These differences and the social and organizational contexts of the development process must be taken into account when considering strategies to the integration of ergonomics.

AB - A cross-sectional case study was performed in a large company producing electro-mechanical products for industrial application. The purpose was to elucidate conditions and strategies for integrating ergonomics into the product development process thereby preventing ergonomic problems at the time of manufacture of new products. In reality the product development process is not a rational problem solving process and does not proceed in a sequential manner as decribed in engineering models. Instead it is a complex organizational process involving uncertainties, iterative elements and negotiation between key actors. Design and production engineers have a great influence on ergonomics in manufacturing departments. Ergonomics considerations are partly taken into account by production engineers but not as a part of standard operating procedures. There is a number of differences between design and production engineers regarding information sources in problem solving, communication pattern, perception of ergonomics, motivation and requests to support tools and methods. These differences and the social and organizational contexts of the development process must be taken into account when considering strategies to the integration of ergonomics.

KW - Product development

KW - Work environment

KW - ergonomics considerations

KW - design engineers

KW - production engineers

KW - electro-mechanical products

U2 - 10.1016/S0169-8141(96)00041-8

DO - 10.1016/S0169-8141(96)00041-8

JO - International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

JF - International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

SN - 0169-8141

IS - 4

VL - 19

SP - 317

EP - 327

ER -