Hall-Andersen Lene Bjerg, Neumann Patrick, Broberg Ole
Engineering Systems Group, Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Work. 2016 Oct 17;55(2):335-346. doi: 10.3233/WOR-162400.
The integration of ergonomics knowledge into engineering projects leads to both healthier and more efficient workplaces. There is a lack of knowledge about integrating ergonomic knowledge into the design practice in engineering consultancies.
This study explores how organizational resources can pose constraints for the integration of ergonomics knowledge into engineering design projects in a business-driven setting, and how ergonomists cope with these resource constraints.
An exploratory case study in an engineering consultancy was conducted. A total of 27 participants were interviewed.
Data were collected applying semi-structured interviews, observations, and documentary studies. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and categorized into themes.
From the analysis five overall themes emerged as major constituents of resource constraints: 1) maximizing project revenue, 2) payment for ergonomics services, 3) value of ergonomic services, 4) role of the client, and 5) coping strategies to overcome resource constraints.
We hypothesize that resource constraints were shaped due to sub-optimization of costs in design projects. The economical contribution of ergonomics measures was not evaluated in the entire life cycle of a designed workplace. Coping strategies included teaming up with engineering designers in the sales process or creating an alliance with ergonomists in the client organization.
将人体工程学知识融入工程项目可打造更健康、高效的工作场所。目前缺乏关于在工程咨询公司将人体工程学知识融入设计实践的相关知识。
本研究探讨在商业驱动背景下，组织资源如何对将人体工程学知识融入工程设计项目构成限制，以及人体工程学专家如何应对这些资源限制。
在一家工程咨询公司开展了一项探索性案例研究。共采访了27名参与者。
通过半结构化访谈、观察和文献研究收集数据。访谈内容经转录、编码并归类为不同主题。
通过分析，出现了五个总体主题，成为资源限制的主要构成要素：1）最大化项目收益，2）人体工程学服务的付费，3）人体工程学服务的价值，4）客户的角色，5）克服资源限制的应对策略。
我们假设资源限制是由于设计项目成本的次优优化造成的。在设计工作场所的整个生命周期中，未对人体工程学措施的经济贡献进行评估。应对策略包括在销售过程中与工程设计师合作，或与客户组织中的人体工程学专家建立联盟。
