Human factors and ergonomics systems-based tools for understanding and addressing global problems of the twenty-first century

Abstract

Sustainability is a systems problem with humans as integral elements of the system. However, sustainability problems usually have a broader scope than sociotechnical systems and therefore require additional considerations. This requires a fuller integration of complex systems understanding into the systems analysis toolset currently available to human factors and ergonomics. In this paper we outline these complex systems requirements necessary to tackle global problems such as sustainability and then assess how three common systems analysis tools (i.e. Accimap, System Theoretic Accident Mapping and Processes; and Cognitive Work Analysis) stand up against these revised criteria. This assessment is then further explored through applying two of these tools (i.e. Accimap and System Theoretic Accident Mapping and Processes) to a transnational food integrity system problem. This case study shows that no single systems analysis method can be used in isolation to help identify key insights for intervention and that new methods may need to be developed or existing methods need to be adapted to understand these dynamic, adaptive systems. The implications for the further development of systems analysis tools are discussed.

Role of Ergonomic Factors Affecting Production of Leather Garment-Based SMEs of India: Implications for Social Sustainability

“…Adequate light and air circulation must be ensured [40,62,64] Shock (E35) Proper insulation must be provided for electric wires Proposed in this article Industrial hygiene (E36) Pest and microbe free working environment must be provided [65]…”

“…For this, industrial management has to replace the existing outdated machines with new ergonomically designed machines. Next, by providing reasonable pay for the workers, it is possible to alleviate the poverty of the workers [64]. Reasonable pay for all employees will aid in overcoming gender inequality regarding income.…”

Global food safety as a complex adaptive system: Key concepts and future prospects

“…This would permit gathering all the possible perspectives and factors that play a role in providing food safe for consumption at the micro and macrolevels in the food system. It is important to note that it is not possible to use a single systems analysis method in isolation to help identify key insights for interventions, and hence, there is a need to develop new methods or further adapt existing methods to understand dynamic adaptive systems (Thatcher et al, 2019). This past event should serve as an important learning point as there exists a risk of a similar such occurrence during and after Brexit -at the time of writing this article, it is a well-known fact that the UK is struggling to reach a deal with the European Union (EU) regarding trade policies after the UK leaves the EU in 2019.…”

“…This results in food systems being composed of interrelated subsystems, each with its own hierarchical structure, all of which lead to the lowest level within an elementary subsystem (Simon, 1962;Thatcher et al, 2019). Further evidence across multiple disciplines characterise these multiple interacting systems in the form of nested hierarchies with smaller, less complex systems embedded within larger, more complex systems (Carayon et al, 2015;Clegg et al, 2017;Gunderson & Holling, 2002;Thatcher et al, 2019;Thatcher & Yeow, 2016). Larger systems provide the broader framework which helps understand smaller systems, while smaller systems provide the functional elements that enable larger systems achieve stability and function in a specific manner.…”

Human Factors and Ergonomics and the management of existential threats: A work domain analysis of a COVID‐19 return from lockdown restrictions system

“…This form of holistic understanding enables analysts to identify so called “leverage points”; places in the system where small interventions could have significant impacts on a system's behavior (Meadows, 2008). The explanatory power of systems HFE methods is such that there are growing calls for their use as part of multidisciplinary efforts which aim to respond to major global and societal issues, such as global pandemics and other existential threats (e.g., Salmon, Stanton, et al, 2019; T. Thatcher et al, 2018; A. Thatcher et al 2020).…”