Title: Integrating HF/E knowledge into manufacturing process development: qualitative study on utilising physical workload data

Authors: Teemu Suokko; Jonna Patama; Tuula Oksanen; Arto Reiman

Addresses: Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland ' Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland ' Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4610, 90014, Finland

Abstract: Manufacturing process development is driven by knowledge derived from business and technology perspectives but often neglected from the human factors' point of view. This study examined whether and how physical workload data could be used at different organisational levels to improve manufacturing processes. The data for this qualitative study were collected through nine semi-structured focus group interviews and analysed with an inductive content analysis. The participants (n = 33) were from corporate management, white-collar workers, blue-collar workers, and occupational health. The results of the physical workload measurements provided the organisation with potential data-based collaboration dimensions to promote work ability, productivity, and competitiveness at various organisational levels. The measurement results introduced an opportunity to use HF/E data alongside traditional business metrics in production management. Using HF/E data can support investments for work development.

Keywords: knowledge management; human factors and ergonomics; HF/E; manufacturing; HF/E data; physical workload measurements; work ability; productivity; competitiveness; production management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2024.144218

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2024 Vol.11 No.4, pp.331 - 349

Received: 14 Mar 2024
Accepted: 08 Jul 2024
Published online: 31 Jan 2025 *

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