A socio-technical approach for improving a Brazilian shoe manufacturing system.
This article presents a macroergonomic intervention in a footwear company in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to improve both the quality of life of the employees and productivity by optimizing the traditional Taylor/Ford work organization. Multi-functionality and team working were implemented as means of making tasks more flexible and richer and the working hours were changed. The results showed a reduction in human and material resource costs and a consequent improvement in health and workers quality of life. Although middle managerial staff displayed strong resistance to the project and to breaking traditional production paradigms, the socio-technical system has been implemented throughout the plant and is expected to end up becoming the benchmark for other companies in the sector.


BACKGROUND
Macro-ergonomics, footwear industry, organization work.
Institute of Health Sciences, Feevale University, Rodovia RS-239, n° 2755 Vila Nova, Novo Hamburgo, RS, 93352-000, Brazil. jacinta@feevale.com
J S
JS
Renner
L B
LB
de M Guimarães
P A B
PA
de Oliveira
D001938:Brazil; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007750:Labor Unions; D017146:Models, Organizational; D016272:Occupational Health; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D011788:Quality of Life; D012775:Shoes; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance