Factors influencing the implementation of ergonomics: An empirical study based on a psychophysical scaling technique∗

∗ Results from this study were presented in a round table session of the 7th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association, Warsaw, Poland, 27-31 August 1979.

Abstract

The aim of this study was (a) to identify various factors that may influence the extent to which a firm makes use of ergonomics for the design of work stations and work environments and (b) to determine the relative importance of these various factors. Based on a preliminary survey in some selected firms, a total of 16 such factors were selected for further study. In order to obtain subjective judgments of the importance of each of these factors, the psychophysical scaling technique of magnitude estimation was used without any fixed anchor points or standard. Each of 34 individuals involved in ergonomic implementations in 21 Norwegian firms made his/her importance judgments with regard to the situation in his/her own firm.

Based on the geometric mean of the sample judgments, the following rank-ordered factors were found to be the most important ones: (1) management's perception of the need for ergonomic implementations; (2) management's knowledge of the potential benefits of having satisfactory working conditions and environment; (3) degree of cooperation between management and the workers regarding environmental problems and work place design; (4) workers’ perception of the need for ergonomic implementations; (5) management's real involvement in ergonomic implementations; (6) workers' real involvement in ergonomic implementations; and (7) public laws that impose general demands on the work place.

Notes

∗ Results from this study were presented in a round table session of the 7th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association, Warsaw, Poland, 27-31 August 1979.