Review
Engineering, Manufacturing
Nastaran Dadashi, Glyn Lawson, Michael Marshall, Gary Stokes
Summary: This study explores the challenges of workload assessment in the automotive industry and aims to develop a decision matrix to guide the effective selection of workload assessment techniques focused on metabolic and cognitive demands. While most assessment techniques reviewed require further development, five methods (Garg, Borg RPE, IPAQ, SWAT, and NASA-TLX) are ready for certain applications, suggesting the possibility of implementing a participatory workload evaluation program within large and complex manufacturing plants.
HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES
(2022)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Andrea Generosi, Thomas Agostinelli, Silvia Ceccacci, Maura Mengoni
Summary: This paper introduces a web-platform system that performs semi-automatic computation of multiple risk indexes based on specific evaluation methods, to support ergonomic risk estimation and provide augmented analytics. The system utilizes a low-cost marker-less body detection system and open-source deep learning model to ensure worker privacy and data protection. The validation results suggest that the system has good accuracy and efficiency in real industrial scenarios.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sang-Bum Park
Summary: Despite the importance of corporate sustainability (CS), there has been insufficient research on the role of business strategy in the relationship between CS and firm performance. This study examines the conditions under which CS relates to firm performance, focusing on generic business strategy. The findings show that CS strengths are positively related to firm performance when firms pursue a differentiation strategy, while CS concerns are negatively associated with firm performance under a differentiation strategy. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting business strategy as an important moderating condition in the CS-firm performance link.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Business
Mohammad Shamsuddoha, Arch G. Woodside
Summary: This study uses second-order systems dynamics engineering (SOSDE) to combine technology and mindset, allowing a transformation from traditional manufacturing to radical process and product innovations. By introducing new sustainability processes and objectives while maintaining current production efficiency and financial performance objectives, the study shows the potential for achieving high financial performance and high ESG (environment, social, and governance) performances in manufacturing.
JOURNAL OF BUSINESS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Carsten Schmidt, Florian Finsterwalder, Rainer Griesbaum, Jan T. Sehrt
Summary: This paper focuses on the site selection of distributed additive production networks and proposes an algorithmic approach based on k-means clustering to identify optimized factory distributions. It discusses the role and interdependence of costs, pollution, and resilience in the selection process of a factory network planning, and explores approaches to identify optimal factory distributions and discuss the advantages of distributed AM. It will support companies and researchers aiming for distributed resilient production using AM.
CIRP JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Business
Soh Young In, Young Joon Lee, Robert G. Eccles
Summary: This study provides a systematic review of the evolution of corporate sustainability research from 1973 to 2019. By analyzing 26,111 articles from Web of Science, it identifies four major periods and their corresponding research subjects. Despite efforts to integrate sustainability into business models, there is still a lack of consensus on theoretical and methodological frameworks.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Pablo Vilas, Laura Andreu, Jose Luis Sarto
Summary: The study found that sustainability indices are gradually converging with their conventional counterparts, while the difference in CSR levels remains stable or decreases. Changing the weighting method of sustainability indices could increase the divergence from traditional indices but may impact CSR levels.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexander Jahn, Johan Hviid Andersen, David Hoyrup Christiansen, Andreas Seidler, Annett Dalboge
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the association between occupational mechanical exposures and chronic low-back pain (LBP). The study found moderate evidence of an association between lifting/carrying loads, non-neutral postures, and combined mechanical exposures with chronic LBP. However, the evidence for whole-body vibrations, standing/walking, and sitting was low or very low. Further research using standardized exposure definitions and measurements is needed.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF WORK ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Mechanical
Varun Tripathi, Somnath Chattopadhyaya, A. K. Mukhopadhyay, Shubham Sharma, Vineet Kumar, Changhe Li, Sunpreet Singh
Summary: This study aims to develop a framework for improving operational excellence and sustainability in operations management on the shop floor in an industry 4.0 environment using lean, green, and smart manufacturing concepts. The framework significantly improved productivity, machinery utilization, production time, manufacturing defects, and production cost in the mining machinery manufacturing industry. The researchers believe that this model would benefit industry individuals in enhancing sustainability in operational excellence on the shop floor in an industry 4.0 environment.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART E-JOURNAL OF PROCESS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tao Feng
Summary: Using A-share listed companies in China's all manufacturing industry as research sample, this study empirically examines the impact of intelligent manufacturing concerns on corporate sustainability based on textual analysis, and investigates the moderating role of the business environment. The study finds that intelligent manufacturing concerns are significantly and positively related to corporate sustainability, and this relationship is mediated by green innovation. The study also reveals that the business environment positively moderates the impact of intelligent manufacturing concerns on corporate sustainability. Further analysis suggests that ownership heterogeneity, regional heterogeneity, and scale heterogeneity play a moderating role, with intelligent manufacturing concerns contributing more to corporate sustainability in large, non-state listed companies and in the eastern and coastal regions.
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Chaminda Wijethilake, Bedanand Upadhaya, Tek Lama
Summary: This study examines the role of organisational culture in driving organisational change towards sustainability. The findings suggest that the case organisation is influenced by four competing cultural values, which shape their approach to corporate sustainability. Rather than being driven by one dominant approach, the organisation adopts an integrated approach that aligns these competing values. The study highlights the importance of aligning competing cultural values as a means of addressing sustainability challenges in the garment manufacturing industry.
PRODUCTION PLANNING & CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Abhishek Sahu, Saurabh Agrawal, Girish Kumar
Summary: This study proposes a value engineering methodology that integrates circular economy concepts to achieve sustainable product development objectives. The results show that the proposed methodology significantly reduces product development costs and improves productivity, while also reducing power consumption, CO2 emissions, and water consumption. These findings have the potential to improve the social, economic, and environmental performance of organizations.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Ann-Louise Andersen, Thomas D. Brunoe, Markus Thomas Bockholt, Alessia Napoleone, Jesper Hemdrup Kristensen, Michele Colli, Brian Vejrum Waehrens, Kjeld Nielsen
Summary: This paper investigates the impact of reconfigurability on product take-back in closed-loop manufacturing systems and proposes a modular and platform-based approach to address supply uncertainties.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Christoph Herrmann, Felipe Cerdas, Tim Abraham, Lennart Buth, Mark Mennenga
Summary: The concept of biologicalisation in manufacturing has gained traction as a promising approach for sustainable and value-added production. While various technologies based on biological principles have been developed, there is a need for comprehensive analysis of the environmental implications and potential impacts of these strategies on resource efficiency. This paper emphasizes the importance of systemic consideration and life cycle thinking when evaluating the opportunities and risks associated with biologicalisation strategies in manufacturing.
CIRP JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lukas Kortus, Tobias Gutmann
Summary: In response to the pressure for organizations to meet sustainability requirements, this study examines the dynamic capabilities involved in developing environmentally sustainable products. Through a multiple case study of 19 manufacturing firms, the researchers identify several microfoundations that enable these dynamic capabilities and provide insights for scholars and manufacturing practitioners.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Vivek Vijayakumar, Fabio Sgarbossa, W. Patrick Neumann, Ahmad Sobhani
Summary: Despite opportunities for automation in production and logistics systems, many companies still rely on human workers due to their cognitive and motor skills. Ignoring Human Factors (HF) in P&L system design may result in negative consequences for operator performance and system efficiency. Current frameworks that consider HF in P&L systems rarely address different decision levels, highlighting a gap in the literature.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Azin Setayesh, Eric H. Grosse, Christoph H. Glock, W. Patrick Neumann
Summary: Through literature review and interviews, this study identified human factors leading to quality deficits and errors in order picking operations, including physical and mental fatigue, complexity, memory demand, among others. The interviews also revealed previously unrecognized communication and supervision failure modes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Carl Mikael Lind, Bart De Clercq, Mikael Forsman, Alain Grootaers, Mathieu Verbrugghe, Lieve Van Dyck, Liyun Yang
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of posture-correction vibrotactile feedback training on trunk inclination exposure in manual sorting work. The results showed reduced time and angles of trunk inclination during and immediately after feedback, but no significant reduction was observed after one and three weeks. The wearer's comfort was high and the feedback did not increase cognitive demands. In the short term, the training program can contribute to reduced trunk inclination exposure.
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Sadeem Munawar Qureshi, Nancy Purdy, Michael A. Greig, Helen Kelly, Anne VanDeursen, W. Patrick Neumann
Summary: This study combines Digital Human Modelling (DHM) and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to assess the management needs for musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk in nursing jobs. The results show that increasing geographical patient-bed assignment distance, increasing patient-acuity, and increasing nurse-patient ratio can reduce biomechanical load but deteriorate the quality of care.
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Ahmet Kolus, Richard P. Wells, W. Patrick Neumann
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between human factors related quality deficits in manufacturing and work-related musculoskeletal disorder risk factors. The results show a significant relationship between quality risk factors and WMSD risk factors, indicating the important role of human factors in improving system performance and human wellbeing in operations design.
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Michael A. A. Greig, Judy Village, Filippo A. A. Salustri, W. Patrick Neumann
Summary: This study analyzes the status of human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) metrics in an electronics manufacturing company. The findings show a disconnect between engineering metrics and HF/E metrics, limiting the design team's ability to address human factors in design. The study also identifies factors influencing HF/E metrics creation and integration, and offers seven recommendations for developing HF/E metrics. This macroergonomic case study provides valuable insights for organizations aiming to be proactive in HF/E in work system design.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gunilla Dahlgren, Per Liv, Fredrik Ohberg, Lisbeth Slunga Jarvholm, Mikael Forsman, Borje Rehn
Summary: This study compared hand activity and force ratings in women and men performing identical hand-intensive work tasks. The results showed no significant gender differences in self-rated hand activity and observer-rated hand activity. However, there was a significant gender difference in observer-rated force, with women being rated higher. These findings suggest that observers may have biased estimations of force in women compared to men.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Marcus Yung, Linda M. Rose, W. Patrick Neumann, Amin Yazdani, Jay Kapellusch
Summary: In a previous study, a U-shaped relationship was observed between load level and fatigue/recovery responses. Moderate load levels resulted in lower discomfort, pain, and fatigue, and shorter recovery times compared to low or high load levels. This paper re-examines the data and suggests that the U-shape may be due to unexpectedly lower fatigue effects at moderate loads and higher fatigue effects at lower loads. Multiple physiological, perceptual, and biomechanical mechanisms could explain this phenomenon.
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Azin Setayesh, Eric H. Grosse, Michael A. Greig, Christoph H. Glock, W. Patrick Neumann
Summary: This paper evaluates the usability, functionality, and usefulness of the Warehouse Error Prevention (WEP) tool, which consists of seven modules. The WEP tool, designed in a simple yes/no form, aims to identify human factors associated with pick errors in warehouses. The tool was tested and evaluated by 33 participants from 27 organizations in three different countries. Survey results indicate that the participants found the WEP tool to be usable and functional. In interviews, participants reported the tool as accurate and effective, with the potential to improve order picking quality for engineers, ergonomists, and warehouse managers. Further quantitative field testing is required to assess the WEP tool's ability to identify costly warehouse errors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Carl Mikael Lind, Farhad Abtahi, Mikael Forsman
Summary: Wearable motion capture instruments have great potential in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders by providing continuous, accurate, and precise measurements of multiple body segments. They enable real-time visualization, automatic analyses, and feedback to the user. However, challenges such as miniaturization, usability, and standardization need to be addressed to promote wider usage and international collaborations.
Article
Health Policy & Services
W. P. Neumann, N. Purdy
Summary: Healthcare systems are facing pressure to control costs and improve performance, resulting in degradation of the working environment for healthcare professionals. Research shows that poor working environments contribute to declines in care quality, leading to calls for a focus on the working environment alongside other factors. This paper proposes seven strategies for improving healthcare systems without compromising the working environment, based on current research in organizational psychology and human factors.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Industrial
Eric H. Grosse, Fabio Sgarbossa, Cecilia Berlin, W. Patrick Neumann
Summary: Industry 4.0 focused on performance and profit, but failed to address the prosperity of all stakeholders, leading to the introduction of Industry 5.0. Industry 5.0 is a human-centric approach that emphasizes outcomes for humans and promotes the development of resilient and sustainable systems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Nursing
W. Patrick Neumann, Sadeem Munwar Qureshi, Susan Bookey-Bassett
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gunilla Dahlgren, Per Liv, Fredrik Ohberg, Lisbeth Slunga Jarvholm, Mikael Forsman, Borje Rehn
Summary: Accurate assessment of hand activity and force is crucial for risk assessment and prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study found significant correlations between subjective ratings of workers and observers and corresponding objective measures of exposure, suggesting that observer ratings may be preferred over self-ratings.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Sadeem Munawar Qureshi, Michael A. Greig, Sue Bookey-Bassett, Nancy Purdy, Helen Kelly, Anne VanDeursen, W. Patrick Neumann
Summary: This study utilizes Digital Human Modelling (DHM) and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to examine the impact of caring for COVID-19-positive patients on nurses' workload and care-quality. The findings show that reducing nurses' biomechanical workload increases mental workload and decreases direct patient care, potentially leading to stress, burnout, and errors.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
