title: Integrating ergonomics into engineering design: the role of objects.
abstract: The objective of this study was to explore the role of objects in integrating ergonomic knowledge in engineering design processes. An engineering design case was analyzed using the theoretical concepts of boundary objects and intermediary objects: Boundary objects facilitate collaboration between different knowledge domains, while the aim of an intermediary object is to circulate knowledge and thus produce a distant effect. Adjustable layout drawings served as boundary objects and had a positive impact on the dialog between an ergonomist and designers. An ergonomic guideline document was identified as an intermediary object. However, when the ergonomic guidelines were circulated in the design process, only some of the guidelines were transferred to the design of the sterile processing plant. Based on these findings, recommendations for working with objects in design processes are included.
authors.affiliation: Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Building 424, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark; ALECTIA Consulting, Teknikerbyen 34, DK 2830 Virum, Denmark. Electronic address: lbjso@dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Lene Bjerg
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Hall-Andersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Building 424, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Broberg
mesh_terms: D004738:Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods*; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D013242:Sterilization
keywords: Boundary objects; Engineering design; Intermediary objects