Ergonomics Contributions to Company Strategies

36 Pages Posted: 16 Sep 2008

See all articles by Jan Dul

Jan Dul

Erasmus University, Rotterdam School of Management

Date Written: November 2008 9,

Abstract

Managers usually associate ergonomics with occupational health and safety and related legislation, not with business performance. In many companies, these decision makers seem not to be positively motivated to apply ergonomics for reasons of improving health and safety. In order to strengthen the position of ergonomics and ergonomists in the business and management world, we discuss company strategies and business goals to which ergonomics could contribute. Conceptual models are presented and examples are given to illustrate: 1) the present situation in which ergonomics is not part of regular planning and control cycles in organizations to ensure business performance, and 2) the desired situation in which ergonomics is an integrated part of strategy formulation and implementation. In order to realize the desired situation, considerable changes must take place within the ergonomics research, education and practice community by moving from a health ergonomics paradigm to a business ergonomics paradigm, without losing the health and safety goals.

Keywords: corporate strategy, system performance, paradigm shift

JEL Classification: M11, O31, O32, M, L23, L25

Suggested Citation

Dul, Jan, Ergonomics Contributions to Company Strategies (November 2008 9,). ERIM Report Series Reference No. ERS-2008-058-LIS, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1268578

Jan Dul (Contact Author)

Erasmus University, Rotterdam School of Management ( email )

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
P.O. Box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands
+31 10 408 1719 (Phone)
+31 10 408 9014 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.rsm.nl/jdul

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