An empirical investigation on association between human factors, ergonomics and lean manufacturing

Abstract

Most adopters focussed on lean tools and techniques (hard lean practices) alone and neglected human factors and ergonomics (soft lean practices) while implementing lean in an organisation. The implementation of hard lean practices alone worsens workers’ Quality of Work Life (QWL) which results in obtaining anticipated long-term lean performance. To promote the adaptation of soft lean practices, the study aimed to highlight the significance of Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) in lean performance and sustainability through structural equation modelling using survey data from 168 experts involved in lean environments. The study documented that the degree of lean performance is positively related to HFE. Also, it found that psychosocial and physical factors influence lean performance enhancement more than others do whereas cognitive factors influence them the least. The study will help managers and researchers understand the relationship between HFE and lean performance and thus help to solve human-related issues in a lean environment and lean system design for successful implementation. Finally, the implications, limitations and future scope of the study are discussed elaborately.

Keywords:

• Lean performance
• structural equation model
• human factors and ergonomics
• human-centered lean
• sociotechnical system
• quality of work life

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

T. Sakthi Nagaraj

T. Sakthi Nagaraj is a research scholar in the Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, India. He received M.Tech (Industrial Engineering and Management) from National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, India in 2013 and AMIE-Mechanical Engineering from The Institution of Engineers (India) in 2010. He has published three research papers in International Journal and one book chapter. He has also presented research works in the leading international conferences. He has 2-year work experience as an Industrial Engineer in a textile industry. His research interests include Production & Operation Management, Human Factors/Ergonomics, Ergonomic product development, Human-Centered Design and Lean Manufacturing. He is a Member of The Institution of Engineers (India), Indian Society of Ergonomics (India), and member of Production and Operations Management Society (POMS).

R. Jeyapaul

Dr. R. Jeyapaul is a Professor and Head of the Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, India. Also, he is head of Ergonomics Laboratory. He has more than 15 years of experience in teaching and research. His current area of research includes Design of Experiments, Taguchi Methodology, Quality Engineering, and Human Factor/Ergonomics. He has published more than 50 papers in referred international journals. He has also presented more than thirty research articles in national and international conferences. He is Member of The Institution of Engineers (India).