| 1. |
- Blomkvist, Anna-Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Computer use in cold environments
- 2000
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 31:3, s. 239-245
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study addresses computer work in cold environments with the two-fold aim to explore conditions for such work, and to add knowledge about the use of fingers at data entry in the cold. Five workplaces were visited and work contents and use of computers are briefly described. Effects of work in the cold were in line with those mentioned in the literature, and manual lifting of heavy goods the most impairing activity. Subjects contended with strenuous working postures--holding the computers in their hands or arms--and with cold fingers. Individual fingering for data input was noted. Forefinger or a pen were used, and a pen is recommendable for input, either as a touch pen or, simply to press the keys. A supportive rack could be recommended for portable workstations.
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| 2. |
- Gard, Gunvor, et al.
(författare)
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Towards a learning organization: the introduction of a client-centered team-based organization in administrative surveying work.
- 2003
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - 1872-9126 .- 0003-6870. ; 34:2, s. 97-105
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Within administrative surveying work in Sweden, a transition to a client-centered team-based organization was made during 1998. The aim of this study was to describe the employees’ perceptions and expectations of job and organizational practices when working as a generalist in a client-centered team-based organization; job and organizational practices and well-being and effectiveness measures were examined when introducing a team-based organization. Interventions such as courses in how to cope with the role of a generalist, how to increase service to clients, education in technology, law and economics, as well as computer information support, were ongoing at the time of the study. The Team Work Profile and QPS Nordic questionnaires were used. All the surveyors in five regions in Sweden participated, in total 640 surveyors. The transition to a client-centered team-based organization was expected to improve job control and job content but at the same time lead to impairments in job climate and group cohesion. Distress was associated with negative future expectations of the organization. High job control and group cohesion were the central contributors towards growth in personal competence and social effectiveness of teamwork. Both internal and external client-related activities of team and organization were in focus during the transition.
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| 3. |
- Abrahamsson, Lena
(författare)
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Production economics analysis of investment initiated to improve working environment
- 2000
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 31:4, s. 1-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article describes the results of an evaluation of a new work place for ladle preparation at Swedish Steel in Luleå, Sweden. The company initiated a development project related to ladle service work, in order to come to grips with the difficult working environment and problems associated with absenteeism due to illness and occupational injuries. The evaluation was performed for the first three years after implementation of the project and it shows that the new work place considerably improved working conditions and increased both the quality and efficiency of production. The purpose of this article is also to discuss some methodological problems. The follow-up of the various changes in working environment and personnel statistics was fairly simple to carry out. But in terms of production effects, the company's in-house production follow-up system proved to be too unspecified and oversimplified. It was also difficult to decide which changes should count as effects of the new work place and to value these in monetary terms. The profitability calculation shows that an investment initiated to improve the working environment can yield good profitability.
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| 4. |
- Abrahamsson, Lena
(författare)
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Restoring the order : gender segregation as an obstacle to organisational development
- 2002
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 33:6, s. 549-557
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper raises questions about the links between gender and organisational changes. The empirical base for the discussion is a qualitative study of the effects of organisational changes in the pulp and paper industry, the electronics industry, the food industry and the laundry industry in Sweden during the mid-1990s. At the studied companies, restoration responses in the work organisations brought the organisation back into its original form and function. The study shows that gender exerts an influence both on the existing work organisation and in the organisational change. The modern organisation, with its focus on integration and decentralisation, challenges the gender order, which is a strong system, built on segregation and hierarchy. The conclusion from the study is that gender segregating and stereotypic gender-coding of workplaces and work tasks were strong restoring mechanisms and obstacles to strategic organisational changes.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Dekker, Sidney
(författare)
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Failure to adapt or adaptations that fail : Contrasting models on procedures and safety
- 2003
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 34:3, s. 233-238
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper introduces two models on procedures and safety and assesses the practical consequences these have for organizations trying to make progress on safety through procedures. The application of procedures is contrasted as rote rule following versus substantive cognitive activity. It reveals a fundamental double bind: operators can fail to adapt procedures when adapting proved necessary, or attempt procedural adaptations that may fail. Rather than simply increasing pressure to comply, organizations should invest in their understanding of the gap between procedures and practice, and help develop operators' skill at adapting. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- Eklund, Jörgen
(författare)
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Development work for quality and ergonomics
- 2000
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 31:6, s. 641-648
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Employee participation in the development and improvement of their own work activities and daily production tasks has been strongly emphasised by the quality movement. From this point of view, the quality perspective, and in particular development work, are supportive of improved working conditions and ergonomics. This paper proposes a classification of development work in relation to participative problem solving. Further, the introduction of development work was found from a theoretical point of view to be consistent with improvement in the characteristics that represent good and rewarding work. Several empirical studies in the field confirm that improvements in work and company performance take place as a result. There is also criticism of development work, which largely focuses on the difficulties of integrating such concepts into organisational structures and of making developments long-lasting. In addition, stress, intensification of work and increased pressure are also mentioned as possible harmful outcomes. It is concluded that the development work concept is an important innovation with great potential, but the organisational models and applications need to be further developed for the future.
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| 8. |
- Gustafsson, Ewa, 1955, et al.
(författare)
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The use of information technology among young adults--experience, attitudes and health beliefs
- 2003
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Ingår i: Appl Ergon. - : Pergamon. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 34:6, s. 565-70
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to explore attitudes, coherence and health beliefs among young adults, related to their use and experience of information technology (IT). A qualitative approach was used and the data were collected through individual thematised interviews with 25 young IT users, aged 18-24. The interviews were analysed in line with the grounded theory method with a constructivist approach. The main findings were the young adults' experience of the two sides of being social, efficient and independent here and now. They described almost unlimited opportunities in connection with IT, but they also had misgivings, and perceived risks regarding IT use. Feelings of freedom and being efficient were countered by feelings of restrictions on living space and of intangibility. Knowledge concerning these attitudes, coherence and health beliefs can be considered when designing epidemiological and ergonomic studies aimed at risk identification.
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| 9. |
- Kemmlert, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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Slips, trips and falls in different work groups : with reference to age and from a preventive perspective
- 2001
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 32:2, s. 149-153
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Inter-record linkage between two Swedish databases on population and injury was effected to provide information on occupational slip, trip and fall (STF) accidents. The text descriptions in more than 1600 accident reports from occupational groups with high incidence rates of STF accidents were categorised by gender and age and the factors contributing to the accidents studied. Both older male and female workers had higher rates of reported STF accidents than younger workers, but it was established that within any one occupation the workplace hazards were common to all. Both for men and for women, the initial approach to the prevention of STF accidents should be to improve orderliness in the workplace.
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| 10. |
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