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ELSEVIER International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 15 (1995) 309-310
Introduction to Participatory Ergonomics
We are pleased to present this special issue on
participatory ergonomics in the International
Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. This compila-
tion of papers is the result of the contributors'
hard work and patience with a process that is
often difficult to coordinate at the international
level. At the outset of this undertaking we hoped
to achieve at least three goals. First, we wanted
to summarize the current developments in partic-
ipatory methods from around the world. One has
only to review proceedings from recent lEA con-
gresses and other international meetings to real-
ize the significance of participatory ergonomics.
Not only is the approach intuitively appealing and
practical, it appears to be successfully applied
internationally (see Noro and Imada, 1991). We
are pleased with the cross section and representa-
tion of different methodologies, locations and
problems addressed. Second, our intent was to
motivate other researchers and practitioners to
consider participatory methodologies in their
work. While the participatory approach seems
quite effective, the exact reasons for its efficacy
are less well understood (e.g., see Wagner, 1994).
Therefore, more research about the conditions
and reasons for effective participatory interven-
tions are most welcome. At the practical level,
more documentation of the effectiveness of par-
ticipatory methodologies across a wide range of
problems and settings improves the robustness of
participatory ergonomics. Third, this topic ex-
pands the scope of this journal to include a range
of articles addressing cognitive, organizational,
physiological and psychosocial facets of er-
gonomics. We view this broader macroergonomic
perspective as the key to improving our chances
0169-8141/95/$09.50 1995 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
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Ergonomics
of making real differences in ergonomic research
and interventions. We appreciate the fact that
there are no "natural" publication outlets for
research and interventions of this type and appre-
ciate the opportunity to contribute through the
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics.
Several themes emerge from this group of di-
verse articles. First, participatory ergonomics pro-
vides value added beyond the practical and pow-
erful contributions of traditional ergonomics
across a wide range of situations, cultures and
problems. These papers describe different tools,
techniques or analyses to channel participants'
unique knowledge and skills to solve problems
and make improvements. The absence of a singu-
lar "best-one-and-only" participatory practice
speaks to the importance of the process rather
than any single event or approach. As Wilson
concludes, the outcomes of a participatory pro-
cess may not produce results too different from
the usual expert consultant intervention. What is
different, however, is the effect on those who
participate. Arguably, the most important out-
comes in the process include the improved own-
ership of the ergonomic ideas, the acceptance of
the proposed solutions, the confidence and com-
petence to solve problems, satisfaction with the
outcome, and willingness to change. These out-
comes are particularly beneficial in environments
where change is continuously driven by technol-
ogy, changing customer needs, quality initiatives
(TQM) and competitive demands for continuous
improvement.
A second theme addresses the need to expand
the scope of ergonomics from a singular microan-
alytic focus to a macroergonomic level. Er-
310 A.S. lmada, M. Nagamachi/ International Journal of lndustrial Ergonomics 15 (1995)309-310
gonomics alone cannot solve all the contemporary
issues we are asked to address. Without improved
organizational support, team processes, team
building, role definition, role clarity, communica-
tion, m a n a g e m e n t commitment and a supportive
culture, our successes will be limited. Likewise
our scope needs to be expanded beyond the phys-
ical level and should begin to address the psy-
chosocial and organizational facets of work. Ar-
guably, injuries and productivity advantages of
the future may be more dependent upon these
macroergonomic variables than the physical as-
pect alone (Hales et al., 1992). This begs the need
for ergonomics as a multidisciplinary field to con-
tinuously define its frontiers.
Finally, independent of the ergonomic change,
the articles in this special issue address the
changing role of the ergonomist. Most in the field
can trace their academic lineage to a scientific
tradition; one based on the scientific method and
dispassionate understanding of an orderable and
knowable universe. Collectively, these articles ad-
dress a different dimension of our activity. It
suggests that perhaps our role should be an agent
of change, a facilitator, or even a consultant. Or
perhaps, as Corlett (1988) suggests, we need to
become activists. More recently, Norman (1993)
has suggested that our role might be best thought
of as becoming "approximate scientists". What-
ever the role, the successful participatory inter-
ventions described in this special issue raise ques-
tions about how best to implement our technol-
ogy.
We are indebted to the authors and those who
submitted papers to our request for this special
issue. Our thanks to the reviewers and editors
without whose assistance and patience this spe-
cial issue would not have been possible.
References
Corlett, N., 1988. The investigation and evaluation of work
and workplaces. In: A.S. Adams, R.R, Hall, B.J. McPhee
and M.S. Oxenburgh (Eds.), Ergonomics International 88,
Ergonomics Society of Australia, Sydney.
Hales, T. et al., 1992. Health Hazard Evaluation Report:
HETA 89-299-2230. U.S. West Communications. Cincin-
nati, OH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health.
Norman, D.A., 1992. Where human factors fails: Ergonomics
versus the world of design and manufacture. Arnold Small
Lecture in Safety. Presented at the 36th annual meeting of
the Human Factors Society, Atlanta, GA.
Noro, K. and Imada, A.S., 1991. Participatory Ergonomics.
London, Taylor & Francis.
Wagner, J.W., 1994. Participation's effects on performance
and satisfaction: A reconsideration of research evidence.
Academy of Management Review, 19: 312-330.
Andrew S. lmada and Mitsuo Nagamachi
Special issue editors