Ergonomics and Quality Management – Humans in Interaction With Technology, Work Environment, and Organization

In many studies, ergonomics has been shown to influence human performance. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate imp ortan t ergonomics influences on qu ality in industrial production, from the perspective of interactions between humans, technology, organization, and work environment. A second aim was to elab orate on the imp lica tion s of these find in gs for the development of quality management strategies. This paper shows that ergonomics problems in terms of adverse work environmental conditions, in ap prop ria te design of technology, and an unsuitable org an izatio n are imp ortan t causes of quality deficiencies. Problem solving aimed at improving ergonomics, quality, and pro du ctivity simultaneously is likely to ob tain sup po rt from most o f the interest parties of the company, and may also enhance participation. Ergonomics has the potential of becoming a driving force for the development of new quality management strategies.