Work - Volume 41, issue Supplement 1

Authors: Vink, P. | Blok, M. | Formanoy, M. | de Korte, E. | Groenesteijn, L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In 2010 15.2% of the work force in the Netherlands works with a computer at another location than at the office or at the clients’ location. 27% of the Dutch working population is not satisfied about the possibility to work at home and 18% is not satisfied on the possibility to plan your own working time. The case control study affirms what has been reported as effects of new ways of work: the experienced productivity by communication and the representativeness of the office interior are improved and attention is needed for workers that need concentration space and need to personalize …their work environment. In implementing new ways of work these issues need attention. Show more

Keywords: new ways of work, office interior, telework, work at home, flexible working time

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0801-5081

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5081-5085, 2012

Authors: Robertson, M. | Vink, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: There are many definitions of new ways of work, but working with a computer at another location than at the office or at the clients' location with Information Communication Technology as a support is becoming more prevalent. A new office having shared desks and facilitating informal meetings along with a changed leadership style is yet another way. Examining the experiences of alternative work styles, telework, between the Netherlands and the USA are especially apparent in the design of office environments as is the emergence of new leadership behaviors to promote safe and healthy work.

Keywords: new ways of work, office design, telework, flexible and alternative work styles, culture

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1042-5086

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5086-5090, 2012

Authors: Larson, N | Wick, H

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The added value of the Ergonomics Program at 3M was found to be improved employee safety, compliance with regulations and reduction of work-related illness, increases in productivity, and quality and operating efficiency. This paper describes the thirty years of existence of this program. For the first twenty years, the program objectives were to: respond to requests for assistance related to work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) concerns, raise employee awareness of MSDs and ergonomics; educate engineers in ergonomics design; and develop ergonomics teams at manufacturing locations. Since the year 2000, 3M's Ergonomics Program has been in transition from a US-centric and corporate-based …technical-expertled program to a global program applying participatory ergonomics strategies within a macroergonomics framework. During that transition, the existing program requirements were revised, new methods and program tools were created, and expectations for implementation at the manufacturing locations clarified. This paper focuses on the company's manufacturing ergonomics program activities during the past ten years and includes specifics of the program's objectives, risk assessment reduction process, and ergonomics technical expertise development. The main benefit achieved throughout the company is reducing employee injury while also increasing productivity and operating efficiency. Show more

Keywords: macroergonomics, microergonomics, ergonomics programs, corporate ergonomics, participatory ergonomics, MSD, WMSD

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1043-5091

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5091-5098, 2012

Authors: Bazley, Conne Mara | De Jong, Annelise | Vink, Peter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A human factors specialist researched the expectations of a culturally and professionally diverse team throughout a year long participatory design process of a large processing facility. For a deeper understanding of high-level team expectations and characteristics, the specialist collected data and information through in-situ ethnography and traditional case study methods, personal interviews, and a questionnaire that included a likert scale rating for expectation levels. Results found that expectation levels rated extremely satisfied for individual team members and the overall team itself before and during the participatory process. In contrast, expectations for upper management from the team were satisfied before the …participatory process, but changed to uncertain, to unsatisfied, to extremely unsatisfied during the process. Additionally, the participatory design team exhibited high-level team characteristics to include honesty, competence, commitment, communication, creativity, and clear expectations Show more

Keywords: Expectations, Team Characteristics, Participatory Design Process, Control Room Design, Diversity

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1044-5099

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5099-5107, 2012

Authors: Miguez, S.A. | Hallbeck, M.S. | Vink, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A participatory ergonomics approach is used to create a new work environment, which is aimed at reducing neck complaints in a cell phone assembly. The participatory ergonomics program included an initiative, problem identification, a selection of solutions, an implementation and evaluation. Twenty-eight women, all operators on an assembly line of cell phone boards, voluntarily participated in the design and evaluation of a device before implementing the device to all 215 employees performing that job. Prior to and after the intervention, RULA, comfort experiences and interviews were used. After introducing an adjustable angled small counter, these measurements showed both posture and …comfort improvements. 90% of the 215 workers preferred the new work station and the neck complaints were reduced in 75% of the group. It also showed that the initial prototype needed to be modified as to reduce its sharp edges/compression points for the forearm. This project shows the importance of iterative testing and that an initiative by workers enlarges the chance of successful implementation. Show more

Keywords: participatory ergonomics, new work, neck complaints, assembly, comfort

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0802-5108

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5108-5113, 2012

Authors: Rademacher, Holger | Bruder, Ralph | Sinn-Behrendt, Andrea | Landau, Kurt

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper describes a field study in production areas of a vehicle manufacturing plant, where 106 male workers (aged from 20 to 63 years) were examined and interviewed by the authors. Aim of study was to identify relationships between specific physical worker capabilities and doses of mechanical exposures using self-developed standardized questionnaires as well as a battery of work-specific tests. The dependent variables are different “physical capabilities”, classified using a five-point rating scale with regard to the grade of limitation of the respective capability. Independent variables are “age” and specific “mechanical exposures”. Several exposures were combined and multiplied with …their respective durations in order to determine doses on three different body regions – back, shoulder-neck and upper limbs. There are significant positive correlations between “age” and “dose of mechanical exposure on back/shoulder-neck/upper limbs region”. The analysis of the relationship between dose of exposure and different capabilities to lift or reposition loads (with variable weight) shows weak significant correlations for all three body regions. Data analysis shows no significant correlations between any dose of mechanical exposure and capabilities to work in awkward body postures. These results should be considered in age management programs when scheduling future employee assignments to workplaces, especially for production systems where manual handling tasks are dominant. Show more

Keywords: age management, mechanical exposures, musculoskeletal disorders, physical capabilities

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0079-5114

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5114-5120, 2012

Authors: Enríquez-Díaz, José-Alonso | Kotzab, Daniel | Sytch, Alina | Frieling, Ekkehart

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The current study aims at evaluating the reorganization of work processes on the basis of studies of three assembly lines in a well known component manufacture of the German automotive industry. It is of particular interest to evaluate the impact of the introduction of Chaku-Chaku assembly lines on the production goals, distribution of activities during one typical work day and psychosocial characteristics of the work environment. Findings indicate that the Chaku-Chaku assembly lines could represent a successful production strategy in order to enhance the output levels of work systems. However, the data show that interviewed assembly workers have spent more …time on value added activities than before. The intensive perception of the time spent on main work activities (direct value added activities) and a simultaneous decrease of available discretionary time between work tasks seem to be related to the low level of the reported psychosocial work characteristics. Show more

Keywords: Chaku-Chaku assembly concept, work activities, psychosocial work characteristics

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0803-5121

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5121-5128, 2012

Authors: Vetter, Sebastian | Bützler, Jennifer | Jochems, Nicole | Schlick, Christopher M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The fast aging of many western and eastern societies and their increasing reliance on information technology create a compelling need to reconsider older users’ interactions with computers. This paper summarizes the results of 6 years of research on the age-differentiated design of human-computer interaction. The well-known model of human information processing served as the theoretical framework. The model components ‘’sensory processing’’, ‘’perception’’, ‘’working memory’’, ‘’decision and response selection’’ and ‘’response execution’’ were analyzed exemplarily in task settings on project management. In seven empirical studies with a total number of 405 participants between 20 and 77 years the human-computer interaction was …analyzed regarding effectiveness, efficiency and user satisfaction. For most but not all studies the results reveal that age-induced differences in human-computer interaction can best be compensated by an ergonomic ‘’design for all’’. In some cases however an age-specific approach is favorable. Show more

Keywords: Human-Computer interaction, interface design, age-differentiated adaptation, aging

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0082-5129

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5129-5136, 2012

Authors: Müller, Andreas | Weigl, Matthias | Heiden, Barbara | Glaser, Jürgen | Angerer, Peter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Previous research shows that work ability of nurses decreases with age. In our study we therefore addressed the following questions: Do successful ageing strategies at work in terms of selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) support the work ability of nurses? Does SOC mediate the relationship between job control (i.e., decision opportunities at work) and work ability? Does the mediation differ between age-groups? 438 nurses (Age Range 21–63 years) completed a questionnaire in the course of an employee survey. Results show that SOC is positively related with work ability. The positive effect of job control on work ability is significantly mediated …by SOC. There are stronger mediating effects for elder nurses than for younger nurses. Results indicate that the interplay of job control and SOC at work helps to maintain the work ability of nurses in nursing care. Show more

Keywords: demographic change, ageing, work ability, selection, optimization, compensation, job control

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0083-5137

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5137-5144, 2012

Authors: Wegge, J. | Jungmann, F. | Liebermann, S. | Shemla, M. | Ries, B.C. | Diestel, S. | Schmidt, K.-H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Based on a new model of productivity in age diverse tams, findings from a six-year research program are reported in which data from more than 745 natural teams with 8,848 employees in three different fields (car production, administrative work, financial services) were collected. Moreover, central assumptions of this model were tested with a representative survey of the German workforce (N = 2,000). Results support both significant advantages and disadvantages for age-mixed teams. Based on the findings, the following preconditions for the effectiveness of age diverse teams are identified: high task complexity, low salience and high appreciation of age diversity, a …positive team climate, low age-discrimination, ergonomic design of work places, and the use of age differentiated leadership. Based on these insights, we developed a new training for supervisors, which addresses the aforementioned aspects and seeks to improve team performance and health of team members. It was found that the training reduces age stereotypes, team conflicts and enhances innovation. Thus, we can conclude that effective interventions for a successful integration of elderly employees in work groups are available and that combinations of measures that address ergonomic design issues, team composition and leadership are to be strongly recommended for practice. Show more

Keywords: age-diversity, team performance, health, age salience, appreciation of age diversity

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0084-5145

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5145-5151, 2012