(2) Introduction:
The main purpose of ergonomics for human use is to evolve a cost effective way for solving issues related to human factors thorough a systematic and purposive method. Data collection, analysis of collected data, implementation of solutions, results and related follow up action are involved in ergonomics. Ergonomic factors in thermal power plants which can be contributed to plant output are equipment design, worker productivity, occupational health & safety (OHS), work load, work posture, noise, temperature and plant lighting [1]. A seamless man-machine interface optimizes output but creating such a system is a major challenge of twenty first century [2]. Organizational failures create the necessary preconditions for human error and also aggravate the consequences of those errors [3]. Therefore the interface systems must match with operator capabilities[4, 5]. A total ergonomics program requires teamwork between all levels of managers and operators. Work group or team work enhancesproductivity and reliability of manufacturing systems. Studiesshow that team work enhances productivity. Operators and supervisors should give each other feedback which is essential for effective and cognitive outcomes. Productivity and economic growth are closely linked and continuous power generation is a key for industrial growth. Economic growth has implications for resource and technology use [6]. Productivity growth is necessary to sustain increase in the production and services [7]. In summary, a total ergonomics model considers all the design features of conventional ergonomics and thus ensures optimal ergonomics compatibility of the system components with the system’s overall structure. This approach enables joint optimizatio...
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...signed job, supported by a well-designed workplace and proper tools, allows the worker to avoid unnecessary motion of the neck, shoulders and upper limbs. Meaning the actual performance of the tasks depends on individuals. Make sure to always observe the workplace. If it looks like it’s an unfit workplace and you can easily get injured. Walk away. There is nothing better than to make sure that your job and health are okay when it comes to the workplace. Great ergonomics means great Workplace.
In today’s society individuals/groups tend to behave, respond, adapt or become ineffectual depending on their surrounding environment. Individuals find it less tedious to conform to the majority vote than to stand out and speak their truth. Conformance has become a norm amongst individuals; we are pressured to conform to the majority vote just to feel socially appropriate. How can individuals grow and develop their own personality without voicing their opinions? Larger organizations tend to construe people into thinking they’re correct and what they are preaching is appropriate. When a group becomes institutionalized as an organization, it evolves shared beliefs, values, and assumptions (page 226). Formed by spontaneously developed relationships, formal groups are created by larger organizations. It is very important for formal groups to focus their attention on a set of beliefs, values, and composition. Introduced by Irving Janis, the phenomenon of “groupthink” was introduced to correlate group conformance on a higher level. Obtaining group dominance is crucial to many high-level decision makers in the government. This phenomenon has led to incompetent and disastrous decisions.
In the workplace, the team leader's job is to make decisions that benefit the team and the whole company. This places them with a lot of responsibility. They must contemplate the options and consciously select the decision-making strategy most appropriate for the circumstances in which the decision will be made and implemented. Often the decision-making style chosen is among the most significant roles of the project manager. Communication and interpersonal skills of the group members influence the decision. The incorrect approach can cause problems within the group. "Research conducted by Wheelen, Murphy, Tsumura and Kline (1998) demonstrates a clear correlation between positive group dynamics and team productivity". There are many decision-making strategies available. Three of the most common styles are when decisions are made by the group leader alone, decisions by the leader after group discussion, and consensus by the whole group.
The evolvement of machinery represents an expansion of human capacities; human control increases over the environment through the ability of production of increasing range and exactitude of response. But the technical development that the control over the machine need no longer be on its operator. This possibility is seized upon by the capitalist mode of production and utilized to the fullest extent. Both of these interests must be antagonistic. The people in charge need to come together and put both of these interests together. These people of higher standard need to come up with a way to bring the special needs of those who own the machine and the labor power, and also the ones who bring the machine and the labor power together.
Turman, P. (October 13, 2000b). Group Decision Making & Problem Solving: Group Communication [Lecture] Cedar Falls, IA. University of Northern Iowa, Communication Studies Department.
Each worker within the production line had a clear, well-defined task that did not imply having to understand the engineering behind it. This has been one of the major criticisms Fordism has received. In fact, Fredrick Taylor, the father of scientific management, criticised Fordism because of the deskilling of assembly line workers, comparing Ford workers to trained gorillas (Thompson, n.d.). Nevertheless, deskilling resulted in a considerable cut in human capital spent on engineers and along with standardisation, allowed an incredible cut in costs within the company. Even though Fordism deskilled a great part of direct production labour, it also created an urge for new skills. These skills include being able to keep the line moving with versatile engineers who have a set of different skills to prevent overloads in the production process (bottlenecks) and maintain the machinery. Furthermore, in order to maintain the plant competitive, highly skilled workers were needed to develop new tools and machines. (Cutler, et al.,
There are eight symptoms of groupthink. The first symptom is when all or most of the group view themselves as invincible which causes them to make decisions that may be risky. The group has an enormous amount of confidence and authority in their decisions as well as in themselves. They see themselves collectively better in all ways than any other group and they believe the event will go well not because of what it is, but because they are involved. The second symptom is the belief of the group that they are moral and upstanding, which leads the group to ignore the ethical or moral consequences of the decisions. The group engages in a total overestimation of its morality. There is never any question that the group is not doing the right thing, they just act. The disregarding of information or warnings that may lead to changes in past policy is the third symptom. Even if there is considerable evidence against their standpoint, they see no problems with their plan. Stereotyping of enemy leaders or others as weak or stupid is the fourth symptom. This symptom leads to close-mindedness to other individuals and their opinions. The fifth symptom is the self-censorship of an individual causing him to overlook his doubts. A group member basically keeps his mouth shut so the group can continue in harmony. Symptom number six refers to the illusion of unanimity; going along with the majority, and the assumption that silence signifies consent. Sometimes a group member who questions the rightness of the goals is pressured by others into concurring or agreeing, this is symptom number seven. The last symptom is the members that set themselves up as a buffer to protect the group from adverse information that may destroy their shared contentment regarding the group’s ...
Stewart, G., Manz, C., & Sims, H., (1999). Teamwork and Group Dynamics. New York: Wiley. pp. 70- 125.
To what extent do those around us affect the way we think; they we perceive a situation; or they way we form our prerogatives? There are many different trains of thought, some of which are adopted, others of which are taken into account based on experience and periods of introspection, but there is one that lies with it, a fundamental difference in comparison to others: the group mind. To which it involves several individuals, a group mind is in essence, a collective following to a set of beliefs and/or practices, usually brought together through forms of social pressure and preconceived notions of moral obligation. Furthermore, these groups are often characterized by the absence of individualism and a sense of obliviousness towards how their unspoken rules influences their view of the world as a whole. Moreover, group minds also involve social pressures, often enticing some to forsake their opinions to fit the given status quo of the group. Indeed, humans are social creatures that want to feel as if their participation in a group has value, but without the awareness of how social pressures affect their ability to make decisions and how one can overcome such pressure, they are nothing more but mental toxins, or in other words, group minds.
A group can be define as ‘any number of people who (1) interact with one another; (2) are psychologically aware of one another and (3) perceive themselves to be a group’ (Mullins, L, 2007, p.299). Certain task can only be performed by combined effort of a group. Organisation can use groups to carry out projects, which will help to achieve its overall aim. However, for the group to be successful they must understand what is expected of them and have the right skill to complete the task. . (Mullins, L, 2006)
Wisner, Alain. The Etienne Grandjean Memorial Lecture: Situated Cognition and Action-Implications for Ergonomics Work Analysis and Anthropotechnology. Ergonomics, Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1995, Vol. 38, No.8, Pgs. 1542-1557.
Group decision making has many benefits for the individuals involved and the organization itself. In order for group decision making to be efficient, it is important for a creative environment to exist. “Creativity is the mental and social process used to generate ideas, concepts and associations that lead to the exploration of new ideas (May, 2011, para.3). This allows each employee to explore ideas and feel comfortable to share them without fear of rejection.
Industrial Engineering Industrial Engineering is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, equipment, information, and energy in the most efficient manner possible. Efficiency is one of an engineers major concerns. Being able to complete the job, solve the problem, and put the solution in process are all very important, but making the process efficient allows less waste and more profit. It draws upon specialized knowledge and skill in the mathematical, physical, and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems. Their jobs are also concerned with performance, reliability, cost efficiency, quality control, plant design, and management of human resources.
Working in groups is challenging at times. Other times it is very rewarding. We are so focused on life that we do not take time to reflect on things as much as we should. Being in a Groups class has opened my eyes to a whole new world. I have begun to question, explore, and even understand how things work. I even get how they work sometimes. Not only is there a process involved in making individual decisions, process is involved in group decisions as well. This paper attempts give insight into my reflection of my group decision process.
Groups influence our everyday lives in ways that we don’t even realize. Most of what is learned from groups are societal norms that are being reinforced on a micro level in everyday life. Group influence on individuals is a clear tangible proof of societal norms by institutions. The groups we become a part of therefore can have a greater influence on our individual actions then we are aware of. As an individual we like to believe we have agency over our actions and what we decide but a lot of our own actions is more a part of a group mentality. Also, individual’s go along with a group’s influence so they feel better about themselves because then they won’t be ostracized. This paper will analyze different aspects of individual behavior and