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Mapping ergonomics application to improve SMEs working condition in industrially developing countries: a critical review

Hermawati, Setia; Lawson, Glyn; Sutarto, Auditya Purwandini

Mapping ergonomics application to improve SMEs working condition in industrially developing countries: a critical review Thumbnail


Authors

GLYN LAWSON GLYN.LAWSON@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Associate Professor

Auditya Purwandini Sutarto



Abstract

In industrially developing countries (IDC), small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for the highest proprotion of employment. Unfortunately, the working conditions in SMEs are often very poor and expose employees to a potentially wide range of health and safety risks. This paper presents a comprehensive review of 161 articles related to ergonomics application in SMEs, using Indonesia as a case study. The aim of this paper is to investigate the extent of ergonomics application and identify areas that can be improved to promote effective ergonomics for SMEs in IDC. The most urgent issue found is the need for adopting participatory approach in contrast to the commonly implemented top-down approach. Some good practices in ergonomics application were also revealed from the review, e.g. a multidisciplinary approach, unsophisticated and low-cost solutions, and recognising the importance of productivity. The review also found that more work is still required to achieve appropriate cross-cultural adaptation of ergonomics application.
Practitioner Summary: Despite continuous efforts in addressing ergonomics issues in SMEs of IDC, workers are still exposed to poor work conditions. We reviewed factual-based evidence of current ergonomics application to inform future strategies of ergonomics in IDC, using Indonesia as a case study.

Citation

Hermawati, S., Lawson, G., & Sutarto, A. P. (2014). Mapping ergonomics application to improve SMEs working condition in industrially developing countries: a critical review. Ergonomics, 57(12), https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2014.953213

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 4, 2014
Online Publication Date Sep 12, 2014
Publication Date Dec 10, 2014
Deposit Date Jul 11, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Ergonomics
Print ISSN 0014-0139
Electronic ISSN 0014-0139
Publisher Taylor & Francis Open
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 57
Issue 12
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2014.953213
Keywords Industrial ergonomics, health and safety, small and medium enterprises, industrially developing countries, intervention effectiveness
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/741243
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2014.953213
Additional Information The Version of Record of this manuscript has been published and is available in Ergonomics 2014
http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00140139.2014.953213

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