Work - Volume 41, issue Supplement 1

Authors: Cau-Bareille, Dominique

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper presents our work to support and train members of the teaching sectors of two trade unions. The aim was to encourage participants to discuss practices, the difficulties in their day-to-day work and impediments to taking action, given the current reforms to primary education, and thereby assess the reforms’ impact on the teachers’ activity. It was also intended to help trade unions build up a collective dynamic around their work and re-positioning the work activity at the heart of their preoccupations. This project consisted of one/two day workshops held at local trade union branches. They were led by an …ergonomist and a trade union representative. The discussions revealed that the prescriptions received from the management increasingly contradict the values of the profession. Therefore, in the name of professional ethics, different strategies of resistance have emerged, from minor modifications to the prescriptions received, to disobedience. However, adopting such strategies is itself a cause of suffering for teaching staff, and leads to some leaving the profession prematurely. We will discuss the difficulty trade unions have in dealing with the issue of work, their strategic positioning as regards developments within the profession, and the role an ergonomist can play in this process. Show more

Keywords: Teachers, reforms, suffering at work, disobedience, trade unionism

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0812-5218

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5218-5227, 2012

Authors: Coutarel, Fabien | Fiard, Jacques

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The researches that specifically analyse the working conditions of teachers are few in the ergonomic literature. Our research relates more specifically to teachers of physical education and sports in french context of college. The research project described here includes both a quantitative exploratory survey (218 respondents) and qualitative case studies (interviews and observation), using the general framework of Activity Ergonomics. The results of this exploratory work tend to emphasize the importance of collective and organizational dimensions in the experience of teachers’ physical education and sports. Specifically, in a perceived context of degradation of working conditions and accumulation of constraints, the …collective and local ability to negotiate the various constraints on the activity appears to be a protective factor. This power to act, these margin of manoeuvre could be a relevant topic for future research. Show more

Keywords: Margin of manoeuvre, Health at work, Organisational constraints, Collective Work, Psychosocial Health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0813-5228

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5228-5230, 2012

Authors: Tourmen, Claire | Leroux, Annie | Beney, Sylvie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The supervision of internships is often based on common sense. However, learning processes at workplace and their conditions remain partly unknown: what is really learned and under what conditions? Two studies on the learning of social working have been conducted, based on work analysis theories and methods. 6 experienced social workers and 4 interns in their first year of training have been interviewed according to the method of “explicitation” interview. The results show that professional learning can occur anyplace, anytime, under certain conditions and under certain forms that have been analyzed. These studies try to analyze the first internship as …an entrance into a culture, through a psychological perspective. Show more

Keywords: professional learning, internship supervision, work analysis, professional didactics, culture

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0814-5231

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5231-5234, 2012

Authors: Robert, Jean-Marc | Brangier, Éric

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: So far ergonomics has been concerned with two categories of activities: correction and design. We propose to add a third category: prospection, and by so doing, we introduce a new series of activities that opens up the future of ergonomics. Corrective ergonomics relates to the past and comes with a demand and a client. It is turned towards the correction of existing situations and aims to reduce or eliminate problems. Here, after delimiting and defining the problem, the challenge is to find the best solution. Ergonomics for design relates to the present and also comes with a demand and a …client. It is turned towards the design of new artefacts that have already been identified by a client, and that will allow users to do some activity and attain their goals. Here, after defining the scope of the project and the functional requirements, the challenge is to do the best design. Finally, prospective ergonomics relates to the future and does not come with a demand and a client. It is turned towards the creation of future things that have not been identified yet. Here the challenge is to detect existing user needs or anticipate future ones, and imagine solutions. These three categories of activities overlap and are not exclusive of each other. In this paper we define prospective ergonomics and compare it with corrective ergonomics and ergonomics for design. We describe its origin, goal, and prospects, we analyze its impacts on education and practice, and we emphasize the need of new collaboration between ergonomics and other disciplines. Show more

Keywords: Prospective Ergonomics, Studies of the future, User needs, Requirements, Creation, Innovation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0012-5235

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5235-5242, 2012

Authors: Liem, André | Brangier, Eric

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this conceptual article the topic of “Prospective Ergonomics” will be discussed within the context of innovation, design thinking and design processes & methods. Design thinking is essentially a human-centred innovation process that emphasises observation, collaboration, interpretation, visualisation of ideas, rapid concept prototyping and concurrent business analysis, which ultimately influences innovation and business strategy. The objective of this project is to develop a roadmap for innovation, involving consumers, designers and business people in an integrative process, which can be applied to product, service and business design. A theoretical structure comprising of Innovation perspectives (1), Worldviews supported by rationalist- historicist and …empirical-idealistic dimensions (2) and Models of “design” reasoning (3) precedes the development and classification of existing methods as well as the introduction of new ones. Show more

Keywords: Prospective Ergonomics, Innovation, Human Centred Research and Design, Worldviews, Processes and Methods

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0013-5243

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5243-5250, 2012

Authors: Kitajima, Muneo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper proposes Cognitive Chrono-Ethnography (CCE), a new study methodology for understanding people’s in situ behavior selections in daily life. People select their next behavior to maximize their satisfaction for a given behavioral needs. They appropriately coordinate available cognitive resources to make the best decisions by using their knowledge of past experiences and by processing input from the environment and individual intrinsic state. When a study field is specified, CCE starts by defining critical parameters for understanding people’s behavior by considering the nature of behavior selection processes in the field in question, and then designing ethnographical field observations by taking …into account the fact that their results will be described in terms of the specified critical parameters. The participants’ behavior is recorded, followed by a series of structured retrospective interviews for the purpose of describing their present behavior and obtaining their history of behavioral development. Analysis of the interview results aid in developing models of present behavior selections and their chronological changes in the past. These models serve as defining future needs of persons who follow the same developing paths with a certain amount of delay, e.g., a few years of delay. This paper describes a CCE study of spectators of professional baseball games at a ballpark who have become frequent visitors to a baseball stadium in 5 years. Show more

Keywords: behavior selection, field observation, retrospective interview, Cognitive Chrono-Ethnography (CCE)

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0014-5251

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5251-5258, 2012

Authors: Barcenilla, Javier | Tijus, Charles

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: User Experience Theory (UXT) provides us with criteria for designing products and technical systems for everyday activities (playing, learning, working,…) so as to satisfy users. Living Labs (LL), are plateforms used for the design and evaluation of technical systems. As such, they constitute tools that bring to this process some constraints., However these constraints have to be articulated to the UXT. In other words, UXT should specify the place, the role and function LL should play in the design of new products, how it should contribute to satisfying UX, and how the methods and techniques should be conceived or borrowed …from other disciplines. UXT also raises ethical issues: impartiality (independent, public, replicable) of research models in the context of economical constraints (dependant, private, secret prototypes) and of industrial pressure, the use of intrusive and persuasive techniques, even with the prior informed consent of participants, ergo-marketing, deontology codes, the use of specific participants, belonging of an UX innovative solution, confidentiality with ICT, and so on. Because the UX, as well as LL literature, have shown little concerns for ethical considerations, till now, we define LL-UX ethical issues as a new research topic, and we list a number of problems to be solved in order to have an ethical LL-UX methodology for open innovation. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomics, Ethics, Living Labs, User Experience, Open Innovation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0015-5259

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5259-5265, 2012

Authors: Aubin, Francois | Atoyan, Hasmik | Robert, Jean-Marc | Atoyan, Tigran

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper explains how a product’s usefulness may be defined and measured. Many aspects of consumer product assessments are conducted sub-consciously and this process is closely examined. A product’s usefulness can be evaluated by measuring its advantages over alternative solutions based on specific criteria associated with fundamentals needs. When multiple criteria are involved, different weights are assigned to each. It should take into account the context in which the product is used. For the purpose of this paper, we use a formula to determine the relative usefulness of a variety of products in different contexts. We conclude that aspects of …product’s usefulness, connected with sub-conscious human decision making processes, can be a major factor in predicting acceptance and rejection rates. Show more

Keywords: Usefulness, fundamental human activities, criteria of usefulness

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0016-5266

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5266-5273, 2012

Authors: Prévost, Marie-Claude | Spooner, Daniel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this case study, designers proactively proposed new product ideas to a client by using an ergonomic approach. This approach differs from a more traditional approach where one works within a specific, clientdefined project. The methodology used included basic ergonomic techniques such as task analysis and information gathering sessions conducted with users. It was adapted so that these enriched user sessions could be conducted within a short time period. After meeting with five users in seven days, designers identified 20 problems that could be tackled and eight design ideas that could be implemented over the short, medium and long term. …The ideas encompassed a wide range of potential projects, including physical product improvements, new product lines, Web-site and software improvements and longer term research. Problems identified and ideas generated involved many disciplines including occupational therapy, mechanical engineering, graphical design, software engineering, sales and manufacturing know-how. This wide range was possible because designers were not constrained to specific project scopes and timelines. The client was involved in the idea evaluation process. As a result of this study two new projects were initiated so far. Show more

Keywords: need elicitation, future needs, design, human factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0017-5274

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5274-5281, 2012

Authors: Saad, Farida | Van Elslande, Pierre

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to discuss the contribution of two complementary approaches for designing and evaluating new driver support systems likely to improve the operation and safety of the road traffic system. The first approach is based on detailed analyses of traffic crashes so as to estimate drivers’ needs for assistance and the situational constraints that safety functions should address to be efficient. The second approach is based on in depth-analyses of behavioral adaptations induced by the usage of new driver support systems in regular driving situations and on drivers’ acceptance of the assistance provided by the systems.

Keywords: Safety functions, Drivers needs, Accident study, Behavioral adaptation, Acceptance

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0018-5282

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5282-5287, 2012