Participatory Ergonomics in an Aerospace Organization: A Case Study

A variety of strong external environmental forces are encouraging many organizations to address the issues affecting productivity and quality of work life (QWL). High growth markets, success in competing against foreign organizations, and international market conditions are a few such issues. One must also take into account societal and technological change and the need to successfully manage them. Further, the composition of the work force is far different than in years past. There are more working women and more older workers. There are the “baby boomers” who are better educated, less likelt to accept traditional authority, and who want growth, fulfillment and a voice in the decisions which affect them. Add to these forces the changes in economic and legal environments and the sum would appear to be an increasingly dissatisfied work force. The disparity between what people want at work and what is available is increasing. Organizations of today must learn how to go about improving jobs and the ways peop...