A system of systems modeling approach can be used to plan and guide implementation of economic revitalization efforts. A key metric of success is the improved outcomes of individuals in terms of standard of living and subjective well-being. Initial results for a latent variable model based on national survey data show a moderate correlation between subjective well-being and objective measures of standard of living, and good fit for a three-factor model that relates economic, security, and social network variables to human capital. Human capital is a production system within the economy; it is equipped and maintained by the education and healthcare systems of the region. This perspective is useful in analyzing and evaluating the system of systems that comprise a regional economy.

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Apparel manufacturing is a labor‐intensive, assembly‐line process requiring significant amounts of repetitive, skilled manipulation. A survey of three typical plants in the southeastern United States identified relatively high frequencies of musculoskeletal discomfort among the sewing operators. Poorly designed and maladjusted workstations contributed to these reported problems. Subsequent research found that ergonomic interventions including redesign and proper adjustment of workstations, use of ergonomically designed seating, and training in low‐risk methods and postures substantially reduced these complaints. Other innovations in equipment, job, and organizational design, with potential to reduce ergonomic problems, are also discussed.

The present research examined visual and auditory monitoring of independent, concurrent sources. Subjects monitored from one to eight concurrent visual indicators for the occurrence of a “launch” event. Five between-groups conditions were studied: a visual-only group, plus four audiovisual groups that differed in the amount of information provided over the auditory channel. Accuracy scores were very high for all groups. Response times showed an overall increase with display density (number of concurrent sources). A significant group x density interaction revealed an advantage of one of the audiovisual conditions compared to the visual-only group at moderate density levels (5 or 6 concurrent sources), but not at lower or higher density levels. This finding probably indicates the value of an auditory signal to reduce visual search time.

When building teams, organizations select individuals capable of acquiring and maintaining skills required for team success. Often, teams undergo a period of skill non-use that can result in skill decay during the lifespan of the team. Despite this reality, researchers have failed to create a comprehensive model that can predict complex skill decay at multiple levels within an organization. McDermott and colleagues (2016) proposed an equation to address this gap. Using simulation data, the present paper applies this equation to model expected skill decay in three hypothetical contexts: simple, mid-range, and complex engineering design cases. The model predicts team-level skill decay in a holistic manner by integrating factors from task, environment, and team characteristics. Results indicate that, while novel for its integration mechanisms, the model maintains strong congruency with previous literature for individual factors. We discuss ways that organizations may reduce complex skill decay as well as future research directions.