Prospective Ergonomics

This book argues for a prospective turn in ergonomics to challenge the established fields of strategic design (SD) and management. Its multi-disciplinary outlook builds upon concepts derived from Management, Innovation and Design Science.

Differences, similarities and relationships between strategic design and prospective ergonomics are reviewed using existing theories and frameworks from design, ergonomics, and strategic and innovation management. To complement the theory, 12 cases have been analyzed in greater depth according to 4 main dimensions of analysis. Outcomes have shown that innovating through the Prospective Ergonomics (PE) approach is about finding the right balance between, on the one hand, meeting primary objectives such as profit maximization or solving the design problem, and on the other, acknowledging that human activity is bounded by rationality. This means that humans have diverse motives.

1. Perspectives and Transitions in Ergonomics.

2. Management and Ergonomic Approaches toward Innovation and Design.

3. Ergonomic Interventions on Management Frameworks.

4. Research Organization.

5. Analysis of 12 Design Case Studies.

6. Cross-Comparison of Cases.

7. Discussion.

André Liem is Associate Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Prior to this, he taught and developed the Industrial Design programs at two institutions: National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Polytechnic (Singapore). Dr. Liem has a PhD in Ergonomics from the University of Lorraine, France, and an MSc in Industrial Design Engineering from TU Delft, Netherlands.