title: Factors affecting the appreciation generated through applying human factors/ergonomics (HFE) principles to systems of work.
abstract: This retrospective study examined the levels of appreciation (applause) given by clients to Human Factors/Ergonomic (HFE) specialists after they have modified the systems of work. Thirteen non-academic projects were chosen because the HFE interventions involved changed the way workers work at their workplaces. Companies involved range from multi-national corporations and military organizations with thousands of employees to small trading companies with less than 10 employees. In 5 cases the HFE recommendations were fully adopted and well appreciated. In 4 they were largely ignored and not appreciated, with partial adoption and some appreciation in the other 4 cases. Three factors that predict appreciation were identified: (i) alignment between the benefits HFE can provide and the project's key performance indices; (ii) awareness of HFE among the client's senior management; and (iii) a team organization appropriate for applying HFE recommendations. Having an HFE specialist on the client's side can greatly increase levels of appreciation, but lack of such a specialist will not affect levels of appreciation. A clear contractual requirement for HFE intervention does not promote appreciation significantly, but its absence can greatly reduce levels of appreciation. These relationships are discussed using the Kano's model of quality. Means to generate greater appreciation of the benefits of HFE are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Electronic address: rhyso@ust.hk.
authors.forename: R H Y
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D001307:Auditory Perception; D003032:Coal Mining; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006804:Ergonomics; D006309:Hearing; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D008669:Metallurgy; D008889:Military Personnel; D016272:Occupational Health; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012308:Risk Management; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D013685:Telecommunications; D013784:Textiles; D014186:Transportation; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Attractive factors; Kano map; Kano model; Must-be factors; System ergonomics