To what extent are the Piedmont’s companies aware of the ergonomics potentialities and have translated these strengths into specific actions for business improvement? The research question was developed within a project sponsored by the Piedmont Region during the 2009-2010 yrs. The project was aimed to take a picture of the way ergonomics has become part of the business culture in the Piedmont’s companies and fostered a demand for ergonomic intervention and research. Whereas in Italy the tradition of studies in physical ergonomics is much stronger than in the organizational one, we hypothesized that the perceived companies’ needs would have been mainly oriented to the physical and biomechanical aspects, urged by law requirements compliances. The research sample included: ergonomists, the Piedmonts’ Employers Associations and Trade Unions representatives, 30 local companies selected by productive sector, province and size. We conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups designed to bring to light the real needs expressed by daily practices. Data analysis and categorization was realized with the support of N-Vivo. Most of the companies’ results confirmed the hypothesis: the physical ergonomics interventions are primarily finalized to the possible action of vigilance committees. However, those companies that invested in physical ergonomics aspects for performance improvement, seem to have consequently started a broader intervention on the organizational aspects to redesign the production process.
L'ergonomia fisica nella pratica di processo: le scelte delle imprese in Piemonte
CALLARI, TIZIANA CARMEN;RE, Alessandra
2011-01-01
Abstract
To what extent are the Piedmont’s companies aware of the ergonomics potentialities and have translated these strengths into specific actions for business improvement? The research question was developed within a project sponsored by the Piedmont Region during the 2009-2010 yrs. The project was aimed to take a picture of the way ergonomics has become part of the business culture in the Piedmont’s companies and fostered a demand for ergonomic intervention and research. Whereas in Italy the tradition of studies in physical ergonomics is much stronger than in the organizational one, we hypothesized that the perceived companies’ needs would have been mainly oriented to the physical and biomechanical aspects, urged by law requirements compliances. The research sample included: ergonomists, the Piedmonts’ Employers Associations and Trade Unions representatives, 30 local companies selected by productive sector, province and size. We conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups designed to bring to light the real needs expressed by daily practices. Data analysis and categorization was realized with the support of N-Vivo. Most of the companies’ results confirmed the hypothesis: the physical ergonomics interventions are primarily finalized to the possible action of vigilance committees. However, those companies that invested in physical ergonomics aspects for performance improvement, seem to have consequently started a broader intervention on the organizational aspects to redesign the production process.
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