8. ERGONOMICS IN INDUSTRIALLY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (IDCs): SOCIO-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

Participatory ergonomics in Indonesian tin mining

“…Wilson (1995) defined participatory ergonomics as 'the involvement of people in planning and controlling a significant amount of their own work activities, with sufficient knowledge and power to influence both processes and outcomes in order to achieve desirable goals'. There are suggestions regarding successful implementation of PE in industrially developing countries (IDCs), which is argued as an appropriate approach because of the necessity of low-cost solutions, and consideration of cultural factors (Apud, 2012;Haines, Wilson, 1998;Hermawati, Lawson, Sutarto, 2014;Hignett, Wilson, Morris, 2005;O'Neill, 2000O'Neill, , 2005Scott, Charteris, 2004;Thatcher, 2005;Wisner, 1985). Furthermore, improved organisational support, team processes, team building, role clarity, communication, management commitment and a supportive culture through innovation in the form of training are the other considerations (Apud, 2012;Imada, Nagamachi, 1995;Wignjosoebroto, 2007).…”

Two ‘Micro’ IDC Field Investigations Requiring ‘Macro’ Interventions

“…In this challenging mix of hard physical labour and the importation of sophisticated technology rural workers are struggling, but because so many are desperate for jobs they will put up with almost anything in order to retain their job. No wonder there are labour problems and poor production -it is indeed a self-perpetuating negative spiral, and the holistic approach of good Ergonomics can, and must, play a major role in not only reversing that spiral, but also in helping IDCs reach their full potential in order to play a viable and profitable role in the international market (Scott and Charteris, 2004).…”