Indicators for objective determination of internal performance factors during postharvest operations
by Martina Jakob, Martin Geyer
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (IJPTI), Vol. 1, No. 1, 2006

Abstract: Work design traditionally focuses on machine capacities, and often neglects the role of people within the production processes. In order to successfully deploy and manage human resources during industrial processing operations (such as horticultural postharvest), adequate knowledge of process times is crucial. These often vary owing to external and internal factors. The internal factors depend on the individual capability and willingness of the worker and cannot be accurately forecasted. Nevertheless, in the present study, it was possible to extract indicators from recorded motion tracks to quantify and assist in improving human performance potential. Actual performance rates showed strong variations in the hourly capacities of two workers, underlying the same factual prerequisites in a re-enacted simple and highly repetitive postharvest operation. Several indicators describing the subjects' performance were defined and compared, including the quantification of motivation, efficiency, precision or coordination.

Online publication date: Wed, 08-Mar-2006

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (IJPTI):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com