bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating Skills of Waiting Staff of a Restaurant based on Behavior Sensing and POS Data Analysis: A Case Study in a Japanese Cuisine Restaurant
Authors: Fukuhara Tomohiro , Tenmoku Ryohei , Ueoka Takashi Okuma Ryoko , Kurata Takeshi
Published: February 2022

An approach to estimate skills of waiting staff of a restaurant by using the human-behavior sensing and POS (point-of-sales) data is proposed. Understanding skills of employees is important in every industry but it is difficult because there are no standard to evaluate their skills. In this paper, we describe experiment results of the support of a QC (quality control) circle of a restaurant. We observed behavior of waiting staff and visualized them to members of the QC circle. Members found that there was a difference on their workload by watching trajectories of waiting staff. For improving their process, they decided the main theme of the QC as “keep positions”. They decided actions to achieve the theme that consist of following: (1) stay longer in the dining area, (2) reduce the movement, and (3) keep their positions. We evaluated these actions using several metrics based on the behavior-sensing and POS data analysis and confirmed that actions (2) and (3) were achieved. Based on these results, we argue skills of waiting staff.
Big Data, Analytics, and the Human in the Middle
Authors: M. Allen Donald
Published: February 2022

Big data and the analysis of that data is being marketed as the next big opportunity for “innovation, competition, and productivity” according to McKinsey and Company. The primary focus of the Big Data opportunity has been on the value of Big Data to businesses that can is achieved through augmenting businesses and government’s ability to better understand their customers and the product and services “needs” of those customers. This understanding provides the opportunity to springboard the development of new products and to deliver focused advertising to specific groups of consumers and businesses. The analysis of Big Data is seen as the mechanism that is the catalyst in the development of new, robust customer behavioral models and the discovery of as yet hidden behavioral trends. This paper, however, will focus on the issues related to the human factor in this new data frontier specifically providing a review of the psychological and legal challenges created as a function of the consolidation and analysis of what have historically been disparate data sets. Data storage, data processing, data security, and privacy will be discussed in the context of their impact on corporate and government policy making and the present and future impacts on the human who is both the marketing focus and owner and creator of the resources vital to Big Data. Finally the role that service science can play in shaping the services that are and will be created by Big Data.
A Case Study: Designing the Service Experience for Big Data Discovery
Authors: A. Kieliszewski Cheryl , Challman Anderson Laura , U. Stucky Susan
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this paper is to present early-stage results from three investigations we have undertaken to support the goal of collaborative innovation to scale discovery. This work is being conducted at IBM Research - Almaden in the recently announced Accelerated Discovery Laboratory. The motivation for this work was the need to experiment and investigate ideas of how to accelerate discovery in a real-world setting (at the very same time that we were learning what it means to “discover”). The underlying tenets borrow ideas from Service Science to build a framework for discovery in which the Participant’s service experience takes place across and within technical, social, and spatial systems. In the big picture view, our goal is to be able to capture project teams’ journeys through this framework and provide navigational assistance. We present results of the investigations to start identifying the resource and co-creative patterns of Participants – examining what it means to “discover” and perform work in a living lab, factors that impact information sharing by heterogeneous teams, and mapping of the service experience to establish a shared mental model.
Success Factors and Approaches of Service Fascination – A Research Framework
Authors: Zagel Christian , Bodendorf Freimut
Published: February 2022

To gain competitive advantage many retailers, especially the ones of the fast moving consumer goods industry, aim at providing their consumers with unforgettable experiences across various channels. A lot of research has been performed in order to identify appropriate experiential criteria for achieving the highest possible consumer satisfaction. Nevertheless, researchers still lack knowledge regarding the impact of the individual experiential dimensions, the influence of technology as well as possibilities to measure the effects of system design features on perceived consumer experiences. A generalized concept is presented which aims at applying research findings on consumer experience for the strategic development of exciting self-service systems. Supported by an experiential design survey, a service fascination research model is presented to assess strengths and weaknesses of concrete self-service technology artifacts and the dependencies between their utilitarian and hedonic aspects as well as the user’s technology readiness and trust. The approach and corresponding hypotheses are evaluated using the examples of an interactive fitting room as well as a social media mirror specifically designed to create positive emotions amongst young consumers.
The First Intelligent Store in Brazil
Authors: . Albertin , Luiz Alberto , . Romano , Relva Regiane
Published: February 2022

The First Intelligent Store in Brazil was developed since 1993 and since 2011, it was implemented at Billabong Store in Alphaville, São Paulo, Brazil as study case of a PhD. Inside the same space, it was implemented 15 applications that uses RFID, NUI, Mobility, Interactivity, all connected with an ERP that is integrated with Smart Self Checkout, Smart Loss Prevention, Smart Dressing Room, Smart Exhibitor, Smart Inventory, Smart Replenishment, Smart POS, Smart Shelf and other features that allows the store improve the manager and the customer experience. As a result, the store counts with the boost to the store´s traffic, fueled by curiosity about the new solutions that also led to higher sales. For the customers it was very important because the technology helped to reduce queues and improve the shopping experience. For the business it was wonderful because they could improve the receipt, inventory, loss preventions, products locations. The customers can play inside the smart dressing room that recognize the products and suggest others that coordenates with that one that customer bring inside the smart dressing room. It helps to know the habits of consumers and their expectations and it helps to increases the sale of products on impulse. The store is a big success in Brazil, because it was the first one that put everything together at the same place: RFID, NUI, ERP, Mobility, and we could prove the ROI with the technologies working together.
A Multi-Criteria and Multi-Actor Perspective for the Evaluation of Sustainability Services
Authors: Hyytinen Kirsi , Gallouj Faïz , Toivonen Marja
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this paper is to study the challenge of the evaluation in the context of the services. Because of their specific nature the traditional evaluation methods and measures are not able to capture neither the diversity of the innovations nor the multifaceted dimensions of performance. This paper aims to contribute to the need for a more diverse evaluation approach. We focus on the context of service innovation in the environmental sector, in which we develop further multi-criteria and multi-actor perspectives. The multi-criteria framework describes the impacts of sustainability services and the multi-actor framework aims at analyzing the impacts from the perspective of various actors involved. Thus, our study provides a two dimensional approach to assess the impacts of services. The focus is on understanding the dynamics of service creation in the environmental sector, and on using new evaluation methods and indicators in that sector.
Service Innovation and Social Innovation: an Analytical Framework and its Application to Health Services
Authors: Rubalcaba Luis , Gallouj Paul Windrum Marja Toivonend Faiz
Published: February 2022

The research fields of service innovation and social innovation have been largely disconnected. Even though they deal with somewhat similar socioeconomic issues and both are studied in a multidisciplinary way, the research trajectories have been rarely crossed. This paper proposes a comprehensive framework to set up a bridge between the two research fields. The paper defines the concept of social innovation and approaches it from a service innovation perspective. Inter-linkages between service and social innovation are shown by identifying research areas in which both find a joint heuristic field. Finding these kinds of fields is particularly possible when services in multi-agent frameworks are revisited from a social innovation perspective, leading to place citizens and organizations and/or the third sector in a prominent position in the innovation process. This approach has been illustrated in a set of case studies in the health sector in Europe. Finally, the paper aims to identify the value added that social innovation can bring to service innovation research and vice-versa.
Environmental Comfort Design Considerations for Future Control Room Interiors
Authors: Bazley Conne , Vink Peter
Published: February 2022

Today, there is a significant amount of research projects focusing on human health and well-being and the connection between the environment and human psychological responses. A holistic approach to integrating control room communications with comfortable interiors is emerging. This paper discusses the socio-cultural aspects of comfort and the sensory communication aspects of environmental comfort design for future control room interiors.
Adaptive Customization –Value Creation by Adaptive Lighting in the Car Interior
Authors: Wagner ab Alexa-Sibylla , Kilincsoy ad Ümit , Reitmeir Peter Vink Maximilian
Published: February 2022

In this paper adaptive customization by color changing LEDs is investigated. Two forms of customization are studied: one system reacts on the color of subjects’ clothes and one system was influenced by a color blending App. Both are built up in a real car. The emotional responses were recorded before and after the test with 70 subjects. Emotions as attraction, hope and joy were found as reactions and 58.6% preferred this approach of steering the interior lighting. Half of the sample preferred the color mixing and half the automatic color detection system showing that there are two clear interaction preferences. The expectations recorded prior to the test influenced the level of experience massively and also interfered with the subjects’ emotions.
Comparative Study of Noise and Thermal Load Levels by General and Individual Sampling
Authors: Sebastián Federico Kolodziej , Eugenio Rubén Cruz
Published: February 2022

This paper is a comparative study of the levels of two environmental parameters in a job, heat and noise, analyzed from two different perspectives, the general and the particular. The study was conducted in a university dining for analysis considering two individuals that work in the field of cooking. The objective of the study is to evaluate the two environmental factors in this sector, noise and thermal load, and determine the variations between the levels of both aggressors measured in the general work environment, and levels that are perceived directly by the operator. To carry out the experience the instrumentation used for measurement of general environmental conditions were hygrometer, anemometer and sound level meter; and the instrumentation for measuring individual parameters were noise dosimeter, heart rate monitor and calorimeter consumption. Recorded data were analyzed and the values​​obtained from sampling equipment of the general environment and the personal sampling devices were compared. The comparison of the results obtained revealed that in a work environment as the analyzed, where operators have a continuous movement between different jobs, the use of individual measuring instruments are more accurate than measuring equipment of the general environment to set the exposure to dangerous levels of heat load and noise.
Development of the Management Cycle and Supporting Tool for Assisting Organizational Workers in Learning Themselves How to Detect Safety-related Problems
Authors: Tanabe Yuya , Okada Yusaku
Published: February 2022

For employees to allow the improvement of safety in their own organization, researchers have developed a learning cycle to enhance the ability to notice that it becomes a safety hazard. Safety is important aspect organization’s activities. Organization that had caused the accident has a sense of distrust. It will start losing users and customers as a result. It is necessary to have great safety promotion activities as an organization in order to avoid such a situation, but the activity can be conducted more efficient by personnel of a handful instead of driving, all employees to participate. However, some educators conduct safety training to all employees to avoid increasing costs. Therefore, by building a system that enables learning, employees devised a cycle to allow safety training while reducing the cost after finishing the initial training by building the software with the goal to enable employee to learn themselves. Finally, authors have devised a system that enables the safety training while reducing the burden on educators.This system consists in a "factor analysis" and "analysis software". Factor analysis is a technique that a phenomenon might cause an accident (extracted factors). It is necessary to consider in a variety of perspective like relationships and working environment and so on for analysis. However, it is possible to achieve without the feedback of the analysis it is difficult. By entering into analysis software factors that have been extracted, the software will give us information, such as trends and perspectives missing. To repeat the cycle is performed factor analysis with reference to the information, and to enter into further analysis software. Then employees are going to learn a way of thinking about safety. Taking advantage of it, the employee is going to notice and avoid mistakes and accidents themselves and able to review the day-to-day operations or near-miss cases, and accidents. When applied to five groups of participants who have no experience of factor analysis at all the following results have been obtained. First, researchers compared the number of factors to be extracted. The second run time added a factor of 182% delay on average compared to the first. Similarly, the third run time was the result 252% of the second, and 456 percent for the first time for a third time. Researchers concluded that as the number of factors to be extracted increase, the more the information will be needed serve as a reference when to take safety measures.
An Evaluation of Human Factors on Confirmation/Check Tasks in Organizational Safety Management
Authors: Takahashi Kumiko , Ikeda Ryoko , Okada Yusaku
Published: February 2022

In organizations’ safety management, it is most important to ensure workers check their own work so that they can detect human error as early as possible. We study the checking task from the viewpoint of human factors with the aim of identifying factors impeding the performance of the checking task and proposing a method for mitigating the effects of such impeding factors. The checking task does not always play a good performance, making workers desirous of performance improvement. However, few attempts have been made to study the checking task beyond analyzing individual, concrete work contexts. We, first, identified and categorized problems regarding the checking task by statistically analyzing the result of the survey covering over 20,000 workers of 15 companies from several industries such as railway and general hospitals. The survey included distributing questionnaire and on-site interviews, both targeting site workers. We, next, got down on to further study the result of the above analysis as that we developed advice/tips data that can assist those who prepare a checklist. Based on the result of these analyses, we compiled a guideline on what to discuss and how to address it when adding new items to an existing checklist.
Occupational Risk In Improving The Quality Of Working Conditions
Authors: Górny Adam
Published: February 2022

Adherence to the systemic approach to improving working conditions is increasingly becoming a central prerequisite for the successful operation of business organizations. By adopting systemic principles to improve the quality of working conditions, organizations gain access to effective tools for eliminating hazards and strenuousness and consequently acquire the ability to grow and improve themselves. Any measures adopted within that framework are undertaken in recognition of the roles and tasks of employees seen as the internal clients of specific processes.The article demonstrates that improvements can be achieved by assessing risks. In this context, risk assessment is viewed as a tool for gathering information on irregularities. By assessing risks, businesses can identify any hazardous, deleterious and strenuous factors which require improvement (through corrective and preventive measures) and whose scope and characteristics depend on the level of occupational risk. The use of occupational risk as a criterion for selecting improvement measures helps identify adequate technical means and organizational arrangements to be applied to bring the working environment to the required quality standard. In particular cases, such means and arrangements should be complemented by using personal protection items. An essential consideration in improving working conditions is to incorporate any selected elements of the systemic approach that are critical for shaping the working environment. Only then will the proper improvement measures be effective.
Analysis of Psychosocial Risk in the Context of the Objectives of Macroergonomics
Authors: Sadłowska-Wrzesińska Joanna
Published: February 2022

The psychosocial risks in working environment can and must be coped with just like it would if they were physical, chemical or biological hazards. Yet the employer awareness in this field seems relatively small. One should recognize this as a fault because a working environment free of stress overload favors not only the workers' health but also may generate reasonable profit as enhanced productivity and increased quality of work may be noticed (Merecz, Potocka, Wężyk and Waszkowska, 2012). Ergonomic quality in contrast to previous does not depend on few strictly identified factors that may be influenced by user, but is a result of a number of elements of macro environment (Butlewski and Tytyk, 2012). It becomes necessary to better one's understanding of the concept of psychosocial hazard and risk connected with it to be able to evaluate and lessen the risks. In subject literature one can find many titles that suggest usage of risk managing paradigm to successfully manage psychosocial risk. According to this paradigm the correct identification of danger is most important and must be legible, simple and easy to apply. It seems so that the described in this paper checklists proposed by International Labor Office (ILO) meet these requirements.
Analysis and Development of Occupational Competencies of 21st Century Managers of Municipal Sector
Authors: Spychała Małgorzata
Published: February 2022

In the article the implementation stages of 21st century manager’s competency profile in municipal sector were presented. The main managers’ occupational competencies were described: communication skills, organizational skills, ethics management skills, team management skills and creative thinking skills. In the practical part of this paper examination of managers’ professional competencies in selected enterprises of Wielkopolska municipal sector was performed. At the same time methods of occupational skills development were assessed. Current managers’ knowledge and skills level were taken into account during planning of their development.
Application of Sensory Thermography on Workers with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome of a Textile Industry in Mexico
Authors: Camargo Claudia , J. de la Vega Enrique , E. Olguín Jesús , A. López Juan
Published: February 2022

This research study deals with the application of sensory thermography on workers of the textile industry who are working in areas where they do Highly Repetitive Movements (HRM). Objectives: To analyze those with variations of temperature generated in the wrist area during a period operation of 2 hours 30, showing the feasibility of the implementation of the sensory thermography in this area evaluated. Methodology: A total of the workers of the workstation called high risk were evaluated, where 3 men and 3 women (they showed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome CTS of their dominant hand), who carried out their normal activity using a defined protocol for this experiment. Results: The maximum temperature was obtained in the experiment of the worker 3 in the right wrist with 35.586°C attained in the time of 1 h 34 min 21; and in the worker 6 was obtained in the left wrist with 34.633°C for a period of 1 h 34 min 56. Conclusions: We conclude that in 86% of the cases analyzed in both wrists, there was similarity in patterns of temperature from a wrist to another regardless of the gender and of their dominant hand. All data adjust to the distributions of the three parameters Weibull and Weibull for the wrists.
Refining the Understanding of Workplace Characteristics from an Occupant Centered Perspective with Emphasis on the Influence of Seating Preference
Authors: Lu Jing , R. Noennig Joerg
Published: February 2022

Workplace design not only influences the people’s feeling, but also the work or task performance, knowledge innovation, and the employees’ loyalty and commitment to their employer. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the subjects’ seating preference at workplace and the environmental factors impact their decision. A field survey was carried out on the campus of Dresden University of Technology, and 119 subjects participated in this study. Furniture placement in three different functions of room was employed to conduct this survey. The self-pictured seating preferences indicate that room function influences the subjects’ decision of seating area. Having sense of control over physical workplace and privacy significantly impacted the subjects’ decisions. However, subjects are not always aware the environmental factors affect their behavior. Subjects attracted by outdoor view and good lighting condition in a general way.
Mock-Up Test of Two Train Toilet Modules
Authors: Loth Marian , van Eijk Daan , Molenbroek Johan
Published: February 2022

Train toilets are perceived to be dirty and as a consequence train travelers rate the toilet as insufficient. While the train toilet is mainly used to urinate it is for men impossible to keep the train toilet clean without spilling urine outside the bowl while standing. This causes women to hover while urinating and as a result they add to the soiling of the train toilet, by spilling drips over the seat. A ‘hygienic train toilet’ will make train travel more attractive, and it can remove one of the obstacles to travelling by train, particularly for the elderly and families with young children.A possible solution to improve hygiene in the train toilet is splitting its interior based on the posture while urinating. Accordingly, a toilet with two modules was designed: One for urinating standing and the other for the seated or hovered toilet use which was ‘inclusively designed’, thus the interior is enhanced with adaptations such as toddler platforms, a diaper changing table, extra support and enough space for wheel-chair manipulation. The observation and questionnaire both with 26 users of 3-68 years old (some wheel chair users) showed that the mock-up of the train toilet indirectly scored a 7.1 on a 10 point scale (1= very bad, 10= very good), but there is room for improvement, for instance a sanitary waste bin, an extra support bar on the left side of the toilet and a toddler platform under the urinal were lacking.
Heads in the Sand: The Failure to Engage With Our Ageing Society
Authors: Woodcock Andree
Published: February 2022

The increasing number of older people requires serious attention from policy makers and service providers if a crisis in care is to be avoided. This paper presents a biographical study of 9 months in the life of an elderly couple, looking at the problems experienced by them and their family when dealing with different stages of health and social care provision. The study covered periods of general health, hospitalization, reablement and separation. Studying the events arising in each period has provided insights into the requirements of the frail elderly and the adequacy of current provision.
21st Century Ergonomic Education From Little e to Big E
Authors: K. Barsky Constance , D. Glazek Stanislaw
Published: February 2022

Despite intense efforts, contemporary educational systems are not enabling individuals to function optimally in modern society. The main reason is that reformers are trying to improve systems that are not designed to take advantage of the centuries of history of the development of today’s societies. Nor do they recognize the implications of the millions of years of history of life on earth in which humans are the latest edition of learning organisms. The contemporary educational paradigm of “education for all” is based on a 17th century model of “printing minds” for passing on static knowledge. This characterizes most of K-12 education. In contrast, 21st Century education demands a new paradigm, which we call Ergonomic Education. This is an education system that is designed to fit the students of any age instead of forcing the students to fit the education system. It takes into account in a fundamental way what students want to learn—the concept “wanting to learn” refers to the innate ability and desire to learn that is characteristic of humans. The Ergonomic Education paradigm shifts to education based on coaching students as human beings who are hungry for productive learning throughout their lives from their very earliest days.
The Interdisciplinary Development of Products. A Case Study from Industry and Health Care
Authors: Winkler Teodor
Published: February 2022

In this paper, on basis of case studies from distant areas; mining, rescue and surgery some aspects of the interdisciplinarity will be discussed. They show, that the interdisciplinary knowledge transfer and migration of interdisciplinary teams across branches are needed. It gives the chance for better use of human and knowledge resources.
Knowledge Transfer in the Lifecycle of Medical Tools and Equipment
Authors: Mleczko Katarzyna , Winkler Teodor
Published: February 2022

The article presents the results of research on transfer of knowledge in the life cycle of medical tools and equipment as an example surgical tools. The authors attempted to identify ambiguous areas in the process of knowledge transfer between life cycle participants like manufacturer, distributor and end user. This research was focused on causes and effects of lack of information, communication problems, ergonomic effects associated with exploitation medical tools. An important aspect is to recognize the location of problems and try to eliminate them at the roots, in order to overcome the effects and shorten the cycle time from design to finish product. These activities may be realized out by identifying ways of communication between different groups of participants of the process and to identify the forms and form of information resources and knowledge resources in the present cycle.
Methodological Considerations about Motor Activity Tracking In Real Life Settings
Authors: Buttelli O , Parry M Jabloun R , Ravier Ph , P Ma N Ferveur d H , Lalo E
Published: February 2022

We discuss the development of innovative methods for evaluating motor activity in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Incorporating both biomarkers (heart rate variability, electromyography, inertial sensors) and phenomenological components, this programme is designed for use in the patient’s home, during normal daily activities and is, as such, readily transferrable to other ergonomic applications. Our presentation will focus particularly on wireless and multi-sensor technology developed as an integrated system allowing us to collect multi-dimensional data sets. Procedures adapted for such ecological situations will be presented, including robust analysis with regard to impulsive noise and artefacts; analysis of nonstationary signals
Interactive Simulation and Ergonomics Assessment of Manual Work With EMA – Applications in Product Development and Production Planning
Authors: Fritzsche Lars , Schönherr Ricardo , Illmann Benjamin
Published: February 2022

The software tool EMA (“Editor for Manual Work Activities”) facilitates digital production planning and ergonomics assessment by providing a more efficient and accurate approach to 3D human simulation. EMA uses a modular system for describing human work activities based on a pre-defined library of “complex operations”, which allows the generation and simulation of human movements with highly-automated algorithms. Moreover, EMA includes standard tools for the assessment of ergonomic strains (EAWS – “Ergonomic Assessment Worksheet”) and production time (MTM – “Methods Time Measurement”). After introducing some basic analysis functions of EMA and their typical use cases, this paper presents an evaluation study that examines the validity of EMA ergonomic evaluations in comparison to paper-pencil-assessments with EAWS. Moreover, this paper shows several use cases of the EMA software application in automotive and aviation industry. These applications illustrate that EMA considerably reduces the effort for preparing human simulations and enables the user to analyze ergonomic conditions (body posture, action forces, manual load handling) and productivity (e.g., walk ways) very thoroughly.
Human Factors Modeling fromWearable Sensed Data forEvacuation based Simulation Scenarios
Authors: Paletta Lucas , Wagner K. Wolfgang Kallus Helmut Schrom-Feiertag Verena
Published: February 2022

The design and the evaluation of evacuation systems are crucial to guarantee successful responses after an incident. Recent results are presented that target to significantly improve evacuation simulation by parameterizing the human agents’ behavior with information on human factors about stress, perception and decision making. In particular, the single person’s behavior in its specific situational context is investigated in the frame of its embodied decision making. For this purpose, users were equipped with wearable sensors that capture information about the environment, the psychophysiological status of the user, and its viewing (eye tracking glasses) and motion behavior. The studies take place during regularly performed evacuation exercises of large business buildings. From the correlation between the multisensory perceptual and psychophysiological data on the one hand, and the automatically sensed and interpreted situational context on the other hand, we will extract a rule base with a set of logical “pre-condition – action” pairs that will parameterize the crowd simulation model.
The Digital Evaluation of Driver’s Field of View and its Potential Impact on Cyclist Safety
Authors: Marshall Russell , Summerskill Steve , Cook Sharon
Published: February 2022

Driver vision from vehicles is a long standing issue. One highly topical scenario includes accidents to vulnerable road users and in particular cyclists, from collisions with large goods vehicles (LGVs). In many of these cases driver vision is a potential causal factor in the occurrence of the accident. This paper presents research performed into the evaluation of driver vision, funded by the UK Department for Transport. To support the research, a 3D volumetric assessment technique was developed in the SAMMIE digital human modelling system. This highly visual technique provides an indication of the visible volumes of space around a vehicle and any blind spots. Vision was evaluated for a range of vehicle types from cars through to LGVs. To investigate the potential casual effects of vision in accidents and specifically those involving cyclists, scenarios were identified from UK Police accident data. These scenarios were then modelled and evaluated digitally. The results highlight that blind spots exist on many vehicles and for all driver sizes. Many of these blind spots can be countered by a change in posture of the driver. However, the most significant blind spot was found on Category N3 LGVs to the near-side of the vehicle. The research was also instrumental in a change to the EU Regulation 46 to remove the blind spot from future LGVs.
A Finite Element Mechanical Contact Model of 3D Human Body and a Well-Fitting Bra
Authors: Cai Yiqing , Yua Winnie , Chenb Lihua
Published: February 2022

This paper presents the methods of developing a finite-element (FE) mechanical contact model to simulate the interaction between human breasts and a well-fitting bra. In the FE model, the human breasts are modelled as hyper-elastic material, and the bra is meshed as elastic beam and shell. The FE contact model between the breasts and the bra is defined as a contact pair. The mathematical formulation describes the strain–stress contact mechanics of the 3D human body and the bra under pre-tension. The simulation results provide a fundamental guideline for the calculation of the force mechanics of any body–garment interaction.
Understanding and Supporting Decision Makers in Quality Management of Production Networks
Authors: Philipsena Ralf , Braunera Philipp , Stillerb Sebastian , Runge Robert Schmittb Simone , Zieflea Martina
Published: February 2022

Quality management is an important aspect of viable manufacturing processes. In order to qualify decision makers to understand the fundamental principles of quality management in production networks, we developed a game-based simulation and learning environment that can furthermore be used to understand how human factors influence the quality of decisions in complex production networks. Previous studies have shown that underlying human factors must exist, that predict the players’ performance, but it is currently unexplored which factors contribute to high performance. To investigate these human factors in more depth and to further refine the quality management serious game, we conducted a series of studies. As expected, expertise had a great impact on performance. However, contrary to our expectations, cognitive skills had no influence. The refined decision dashboard with seamlessly integrated self-adapting visualizations on key performance indicators had a significant positive impact on game performance. Most importantly, the studies suggest that the developed game is a valuable contribution to the vocational training of quality managers as the quality of their decisions is increased.
The Changes of Information Technology Structure in Condition of Adaptation the Enterprises’ Management System to the Knowledge-Based Economy Requirements
Authors: Kałkowska Joanna
Published: February 2022

The accepted conception of the knowledge-based economy development supported by capital achieved from the European Union is a great background for enterprises’ development. The direct and indirect opportunities which are created by the knowledge development economy is a sign for adaptation the enterprises’ development strategy to the new economy conditions as well as to proper selection and development of information technologies which are one of the basis of adaptation to the new reality. According to this, it seems to be observed a kind of growing trend of ICT importance in Poland. Also, the global or European development of ICT affects the use of ICT in Poland what directly influence on the Polish enterprises competitiveness. According to this, also the importance of different e-services as well as IT outsourcing will be increasing. The paper is focused on selected research results concerning the changes in usage of ICT technologies in selected Polish enterprises in a process of adopting into knowledge-based economy requirements. Presented researches of ICT technologies are a part of broaden research concerning adaptation the enterprises management systems into knowledge based economy requirements which are carried out since 2010 at the Faculty of Engineering Management, Poznan University of Technology.
Anthropomorphic Design of Human-Robot Interaction in Assembly Cells
Authors: Kuz Sinem , Faber Marco , Bützler Jennifer , Ph. Mayer Marcel , M. Schlick Christopher
Published: February 2022

The objective of ergonomic systems design is to design the interaction between humans and machines in such a way that productivity, efficiency and humanity would not contradict each other. Hence, the human has to be considered as an integral part of the system. To use the full potential of this concept the system has to be accepted as a co-worker by the human. Anthropomorphism is an approach that is used in different areas to improve the acceptance of non-human entities as team-partners. The study within this work focuses on the effects of anthropomorphism in industrial environments. A virtual environment consisting of a robotized assembly cell was developed to conduct the experimental study. In order to simulate anthropomorphic movements, human pick and place movements were acquired using an infrared motion capture system. The data were used to drive the model of a virtual assembly robot. Within the experiment both anthropomorphic and constant speed profiles were compared. The main task of the participants was to predict the movement’s destination as accurately and quickly as possible. The reaction time and the prediction accuracy were analyzed to investigate the influence of anthropomorphic robot movements on human prediction in industrial environments. The results show that anthropomorphic movements lead to faster reaction times without more prediction errors.
Ergonomic Design of Working Time Models
Authors: Stock Patricia , Deml Barbara
Published: February 2022

Enterprises in high-wage countries are facing an increasing shortage of skilled workers due to demographic change. In coping with this problem, companies are forced to provide incentives that help them recruit and retain qualified staff. As a result, enterprises have to deal with increasing wages, which means that the employment of staff must be highly efficient in order to avoid idle times of the personnel. At the same time, the working conditions have to be designed ergonomically in order to preserve the work ability of the employees. Altogether, the enterprise is forced to create good working conditions in order to find employees and bind them to the enterprise. The design of employee-oriented and ergonomic working time models is an important prerequisite for mastering this challenge. Commercial software usually compares a working time model with the existing legal regulations as well with ergonomic recommendations in order to provide an ergonomic evaluation. Capacity requirements are taken into account only statically. However, capacity requirements usually are subject to several dynamic influences resulting from stochastic operation times, stochastic intermediate arrival times of orders or customers. This makes it more difficult to adjust the available capacity to stochastic capacity requirements. With the help of a discrete-event simulation, various working time models can be compared in a specific case of application and assessed in quantitative terms. This paper discusses the situation of enterprises in high-wage countries and the resulting need for the ergonomic design of working times. Then, the paper presents the OSim-GAM simulator developed by the Institute of Human and Industrial Engineering (ifab) of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology for the ergonomic design of working time models. The OSim-GAM assessment concept for working time models is presented and its use is illustrated within the framework of a case study.
Younger Beginners, Older Retirees:Head-mounted Displaysand Demographic Change
Authors: Theisa Sabine , Alexandera Thomas , Willeb Matthias , Mertensc Alexander , M. Schlickc Christopher
Published: February 2022

Demographic change and its consequences are tremendous challenges for industry and service enterprises (Dul et al., 2012). That implies the development of future working systems and technologies, which have to consider aspects of demographic change. Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) may serve as intelligent solutions for multiple manufacturing scenarios by providing process knowledge already during fabrication and manufacturing. Since the early days, HMD-manufacturers have striven to improve technical and ergonomic characteristics of HMDs. Generic ergonomic aspects have already been investigated but the extent to which age influences workload and performance when using an HMD is merely known. Additionally, little is known about the acceptance of HMDs within different age groups. In this paper, we address these issues and present an empirical study (n = 40) analyzing the effect of HMDs on task execution time and workload (NASA Task Load Index). Two different age groups (18-39, 40-60 years) performed a manufacturing task supported by instructions displayed on an HMD. It is shown that elderly perform as good as young participants while there are significant differences concerning subjective effort. Young participants rate manufacturing tasks performed with an HMD to be more effortful as elderly. Regarding the acceptance of the HMD, we found that older participants are more likely to reject the HMD than younger ones.
Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Keep it Safe, Keep it Simple!
Authors: Phillips Lyn
Published: February 2022

Pressure Ulcer (PU) Prevention Guidelines typically recommend that vulnerable patients be physically repositioned every 2-4 hours, although the risk of caregiver injury is rarely discussed. Some guidelines, concerned with the fabric and construction of slings, continue to mandate the removal of lift equipment from beneath the patient after use and, despite a weak evidence base, this might lessen repositioning frequency and discourage safe practice. A pragmatic solution may be a flexible, breathable, quick-drying, low-friction lift sheet, designed to work in synergy with a pressure-redistributing mattress and which replaces the standard sheet. A series of standardised laboratory tests compared key performance characteristics of two sheet textiles: a 100% cotton hospital bed sheet and the Maxi Transfer™ sheet, a novel synthetic lift sheet. Results showed that when compared to the cotton sheet, the synthetic sheet was more breathable, had lower heat retention properties, superior wicking and better synergy with the therapeutic mattress. Regular repositioning, the cornerstone of PU prevention, is most likely to occur when clinicians have immediate access to lifting equipment. Replacing the standard bed sheet with an advanced textile, lifting device, may positively impact concordance with repositioning protocols, improve tissue microclimate and so improve patient outcomes and, importantly, caregiver safety.
An Ergonomics Study of Patient Flow and Waiting Room Layout Design for an Emergency Medicine Department
Authors: Das Bijon , Das Biman
Published: February 2022

The objective of the investigation was to perform an ergonomics study of the patient flow and waiting room design facilities at the QEII Emergency Medicine Department with a view to minimize congestion and improve patient care and satisfaction. The patient flow study revealed that the average waiting times (min) for triage categories 1 to 5 varies considerably (1 to 140 minutes) from the recommended waiting times (immediate to 120 minutes). The patient arrival rate varied by day of the week and ranged from a low of 133 on Thursdays to a high of 154 on Mondays. The congestion at the waiting room resulted from: (1) an inadequate number of seating space, (2) an inappropriate location of public washrooms and (3) a lack of designated waiting areas for people to be seen at triage. The number of seating space in the waiting rooms can be increased by: (1) relocating one of the family rooms, (2) rearranging the chairs in the main and sub-waiting rooms and (3) providing additions for wheelchair accessible seating locations. Improved layout for waiting rooms was provided. To further alleviate the congestion in the waiting rooms alternate location/facilities should be considered.
Work Ability and Psychosocial Factors in Healthcare Settings: Results from a National Study
Authors: Cotrim Teresa , Fernandes da Silva Carlos , Amaral Vânia , Bem-Haja Pedro , Pereira Anabela
Published: February 2022

Interactions between the ageing process, heath status, lifestyle and work strongly influence the work ability. In this paper, the healthcare workers were the selected professional group and their Work Ability was analysed in order to develop Portuguese reference values and to determine the influence of socio-demographic and psychosocial factors in the WAI. The methodology encompassed the work ability analysis using the Portuguese Version of the Work Ability Index and the characterization of the psychosocial factors using the Portuguese Version of Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. The sample included 1016 individuals from Portuguese hospitals with different professional categories. In average our sample had good work ability. WAI did not correlate with age. Among those with better WAI, physicians and nursing aides were the seniors, pointing to a probable healthy worker effect. The COPSOQ showed critical values in the scales’ cognitive and emotional demands. The scales quantitative demands, role conflicts, sleep troubles, burnout, stress, depressive symptoms and offensive behaviors correlated negatively with WAI meaning that when these risk factors are lower the work ability is better. The scales role clarity, recognition, social community at work, quality of leadership, justice, self-efficacy, meaning of work, job satisfaction and development opportunities correlated positively with WAI probably acting as work ability protecting factors.
A Study of Medical Garment Design for Puerpera Based on Ergonomic Theory
Authors: Lan Zhaojing , Hu* Xiaoping
Published: February 2022

Clean and comfortable medical garment for puerpera could make them feel relax and cheerful. This study aims to identify puerpera’s needs and their concerns, in order to design the puerperal medical garment in the light of ergonomic theory. A questionnaire was prepared and given to these people, which have investigated 125 puerperas aging from 20 to 40 who are in treatment in central city hospital, as the data shows that most of the participants need functional garment, which should be in compliance with design rationales according to analysis data and in conformity with ergonomic theory. It was established that the functional medical garment for puerpera in conformity with ergonomic theory could not only promote puerpera’s entire recovery, prevent cross infection by pathogenic bacteria, but also benefit the breastfeeding and contact between mother and baby in the early stage, and make puerpera more cheerful.