Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Ergonomics and Human Factors for a Sustainable Future pp 1–21Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Introduction

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 894 Accesses

Abstract

Current human activities are seriously eroding the ability of natural and social systems to sufficiently adapt and cope with these changes. Clearly humanity cannot continue along our current path without seriously damaging our own ability to survive as a species. This problem is usually framed as one of sustainability and the need to address a set of interrelated wicked problems. In this chapter we provide the broad background to the sustainability problem from a human factors and ergonomics perspective by focusing on the broad areas where our discipline might contribute to solutions. This is done by firstly giving a historical overview of the work that has already been conducted from a human factors and ergonomics perspective in addressing sustainability and secondly by outlining the approach taken for the remainder of the book which is based on Thatcher and Yeow’s (2016a) sustainable system-of-systems model for human factors and ergonomics. The chapter concludes with brief comments on the overall aims of the book in helping human factors and ergonomics to address sustainability concerns.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aceves-González, C., May, A., & Cook, S. (2016). An observational comparison of the older and younger bus passenger experience in a developing world city. Ergonomics, 59, 840–850.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adams, P., & David, G. C. (2007). Light vehicle fuelling errors in the UK: The nature of the problem, its consequences and prevention. Applied Ergonomics, 38, 499–511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolis, I., Brunoro, C. M., & Sznelwar, L. I. (2014). Mapping the relationships between work and sustainability and the opportunities for ergonomic action. Applied Ergonomics, 45, 1225–1239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, C. (2007, November 7–9). Eco-ergonomics. In Proceedings of the New Zealand Ergonomics Society Conference, Waiheke Island.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charytonowicz, J. (1998). Ergonomics in architecture. In P. Vink, E. A. P. Konigsveld, & S. Dhondt (Eds.), Human factors in organizational design & management VI. Oxford, UK: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cocron, P., Bühler, F., Franke, T., Neumann, I., Dielmann, B., & Krems, J. F. (2013). Energy recapture through deceleration – Regenerative braking in electric vehicles from a user perspective. Ergonomics, 56, 1203–1215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, J., Nuccitelli, D., Green, S. A., Richardson, M., Winkler, B., Painting, R., et al. (2013). Quantifying the consensus on anthropogenic global warming in the scientific literature. Environmental Research Letters, 8(2), 024024.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costanza, R., & Patten, B. C. (1995). Defining and predicting sustainability. Ecological Economics, 15, 193–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demirel, H. O., Zhang, L., & Duffy, V. G. (2016). Opportunities for meeting sustainability objectives. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 51, 73–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Docherty, P., Forslin, J., & Shani, A. B. (Eds.). (2002). Creating sustainable work systems: Emerging perspectives and practice. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dorsey, J., Hedge, A., & Miller, L. (2014). Green ergonomics. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation, 49, 345–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drury, C. G. (2014). Can HF/E professionals contribute to global climate change solutions? Ergonomics in Design, 22, 30–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang, Y. M., & Sun, M. S. (2016). Applying eco-visualisations of different interface formats to evoke sustainable behaviours towards household water saving. Behaviour & Information Technology, 35, 748–757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fournier, V. (2008). Escaping from the economy: The politics of degrowth. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 18(11/12), 528–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García-Acosta, G. (1996). Modelos de explicación sistémica de la ergonomía [Models of systemic explanation of ergonomics]. Unpublished Master’s thesis. Mexico City, México: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.

    Google Scholar 

  • García-Acosta, G., Pinilla, M. H. S., Larrahondo, P. A. R., & Morales, K. L. (2014). Ergoecology: Fundamentals of a new multidisciplinary field. Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 15, 111–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Genaidy, A. M., Sequeira, R., Rinder, M. M., & A-Rehim, A. D. (2009). Determinants of business sustainability: An ergonomics perspective. Ergonomics, 52, 273–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hancock, P. A., & Drury, C. G. (2011). Does human factors/ergonomics contribute to the quality of life? Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 12(5), 416–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, J., Sato, M., Hearty, P., Ruedy, R., Kelley, M., Masson-Delmotte, V., et al. (2016). Ice melt, sea level rise and superstorms: Evidence from paleoclimate data, climate modeling, and modern observations that 2 C global warming could be dangerous. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 16, 3761–3812.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, M. A. (2013). Green ergonomics: Challenges and opportunities. Ergonomics, 56(3), 399–408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haslam, R., & Waterson, P. (2013). Ergonomics and sustainability. Ergonomics, 56(3), 343–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hecht, A. D., Fiksel, J., Fulton, S. C., Yosie, T. F., Hawkins, N. C., Leuenberger, H., et al. (2012). Creating the future we want. Sustainability: Science, Practice & Policy, 8, 62–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedge, A. (2008). The sprouting of “green” ergonomics. HFES Bulletin, 51, 1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helander, M. G. (1997). Forty years of IEA: Some reflections on the evolution of ergonomics. Ergonomics, 40, 952–961.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Incropera, F. P. (2016). Climate change: A wicked problem. New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2015). Climate change 2014: Synthesis report. Contribution of working groups I, II and III to the fifth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Geneva, Switzerland, IPCC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, P., Everard, M., Santillo, D., & Robèrt, K. (2007). Reclaiming the definition of sustainability. Environmental Science Pollution Research, 14, 60–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karsh, B. T., Waterson, P., & Holden, R. J. (2014). Crossing levels in systems ergonomics: A framework to support ‘mesoergonomic’ inquiry. Applied Ergonomics, 45, 45–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katzeff, C., Nyblom, Å., Tunheden, S., & Torstensson, C. (2012). User-centred design and evaluation of EnergyCoach – An interactive energy service for households. Behaviour & Information Technology, 31, 305–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelley, C. P., Mohtadi, S., Cane, M. A., Seager, R., & Kushnir, Y. (2015). Climate change in the Fertile Crescent and implications of the recent Syrian drought. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112, 3241–3246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lange-Morales, K., Thatcher, A., & García-Acosta, G. (2014). Towards a sustainable world through human factors and ergonomics: It is all about values. Ergonomics, 57, 1603–1615.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, K., Cashore, B., Bernstein, S., & Auld, G. (2012). Overcoming the tragedy of super wicked problems: Constraining our future selves to ameliorate global climate change. Policy Sciences, 45, 123–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maibach, E., Myers, T., & Leiserowitz, A. (2014). Climate scientists need to set the record straight: There is a scientific consensus that human-caused climate change is happening. Earth’s Future, 2, 295–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martens, P. (2013). Health and climate change: Modelling the impacts of global warming and ozone depletion. Oxford, UK: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, K. K., Legg, S. S., & Brown, C. C. (2013). Designing for sustainability: Ergonomics – Carpe diem. Ergonomics, 56, 365–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meadows, D., Randers, J., & Meadows, D. (2004). Limits to growth: The 30 year update. London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadows, D. H., Meadows, D. L., Randers, J., & Behrens, W. W. (1972). The limits to growth. A report for The Club of Rome’s project on the predicament of mankind. Washington, DC, Potomac Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, D., & Barnard, T. (2012). With eloquence and humanity? Human factors/ergonomics in sustainable human development. Human Factors, 54, 940–951.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moray, N. (1995). Ergonomics and the global problems of the twenty-first century. Ergonomics, 38, 1691–1707.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nemire, K. (2014a). Combating climate change: The role of human factors/ergonomics, Part 1 – Special Issue. Ergonomics in Design, 22, 3–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nemire, K. (2014b). Introduction to the special issue on combating climate change: The role of human factors/ergonomics, Part 2. Ergonomics in Design, 22, 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nickerson, R. S. (1992). What does human factors research have to do with environmental management? Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 36, 636–639.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nickerson, R. S. (1993). Looking ahead: Human factors challenges in a changing world. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nickerson, R. S., & Moray, N. (1995). Environmental change. In R. S. Nickerson (Ed.), Emerging needs and opportunities for human factors research (pp. 158–176). Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oreskes, N. (2004). The scientific consensus on climate change. Science, 306, 1686.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patz, J. A., Frumkin, H., Holloway, T., Vimont, D. J., & Haines, A. (2014). Climate change: Challenges and opportunities for global health. Journal of the American Medical Association, 312, 1565–1580.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the twenty-first century. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel, D., Cooperstein, S., Randell, H., Filiberto, D., Sorrentino, S., Kaye, B., et al. (2007). Ecology of increasing diseases: Population growth and environmental degradation. Human Ecology, 35, 653–668.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pratchett, M. S., Hoey, A. S., & Wilson, S. K. (2014). Reef degradation and the loss of critical ecosystem goods and services provided by coral reef fishes. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 7, 37–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rabotyagov, S. S., Kling, C. L., Gassman, P. W., Rabalais, N. N., & Turner, R. E. (2014). The economics of dead zones: Causes, impacts, policy challenges, and a model of the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, 8, 58–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radjiyev, A., Qiu, H., Xiong, S., & Nam, K. (2015). Ergonomics and sustainable development in the past two decades (1992–2011): Research trends and how ergonomics can contribute to sustainable development. Applied Ergonomics, 46, 67–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redclift, M. (2005). Sustainable development (1987–2005): An oxymoron comes of age. Sustainable Development, 13, 212–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Revell, K. M., & Stanton, N. A. (2016). Mind the gap – Deriving a compatible user mental model of the home heating system to encourage sustainable behaviour. Applied Ergonomics, 57, 48–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Revell, K. M., & Stanton, N. A. (2017). Mental models: Design of user interaction and interfaces for domestic energy systems. London: CRC Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, M., Maspero, M., Golightly, D., Sheffield, D., Staples, V., & Lumber, R. (2017). Nature: A new paradigm for well-being and ergonomics. Ergonomics, 60, 292–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rittel, H. W., & Webber, M. M. (1973). Dilemmas in a general theory of planning. Policy Sciences, 4, 155–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinette, K. M., & Veitch, D. (2016). Sustainable sizing. Human Factors, 58, 657–664.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samaras, E. A., & Samaras, G. M. (2010). Using human-centered systems engineering to reduce nurse stakeholder dissonance. AAMI HF horizons 2010; Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, 44, 25–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samir, K. C., & Lutz, W. (2017). The human core of the shared socioeconomic pathways: Population scenarios by age, sex and level of education for all countries to 2100. Global Environmental Change, 42, 181–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarfaty, M. (2017). High risk US policy on climate change. British Medical Journal (Online), 357, j1735.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sauer, J., & Rüttinger, B. (2004). Environmental conservation in the domestic domain: The influence of technical design features and person-based factors. Ergonomics, 47, 1053–1072.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sauer, J., Wiese, B. S., & Rüttinger, B. (2002). Improving ecological performance of electrical consumer products: The role of design-based measures and user variables. Applied Ergonomics, 33, 297–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sauer, J., Wiese, B. S., & Rüttinger, B. (2003). Designing low-complexity electrical consumer products for ecological use. Applied Ergonomics, 34, 521–531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sauer, J., Wiese, B. S., & Rüttinger, B. (2004). Ecological performance of electrical consumer products: The influence of automation and information-based measures. Applied Ergonomics, 35, 37–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siemieniuch, C. E., Sinclair, M. A., & deC Henshaw, M. J. (2015). Global drivers, sustainable manufacturing and systems ergonomics. Applied Ergonomics, 51, 104–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steffen, W., Grinevald, J., Crutzen, P., & McNeill, J. (2011). The Anthropocene: Conceptual and historical perspectives. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 369(1938), 842–867.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steimle, U., & Zink, K. J. (2006). Sustainable development and human factors. In W. Karwowski (Ed.), International encyclopedia of ergonomics and human factors (2nd ed.). London: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stiglitz, J. E. (2015). The great divide: Unequal societies and what we can do about them. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thatcher, A. (2012). Early variability in the conceptualisation of ‘sustainable development and human factors’. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation, 41, 3892–3899.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thatcher, A. (2013). Green ergonomics: Definition and scope. Ergonomics, 56, 389–398.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thatcher, A. (2016). Longevity in a sustainable human factors and ergonomics system-of-systems. 22nd Semana de Salud Ocupacional in Medellin, Colombia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thatcher, A., & Yeow, P. H. (2016a). A sustainable system of systems approach: A new HFE paradigm. Ergonomics, 59, 167–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thatcher, A., & Yeow, P. H. (2016b). Human factors for a sustainable future. Applied Ergonomics, 57, 94–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torres, M. K. L., Teixeira C. S., & Merino, E. A. D. (2009, August 9–14). Ergonomics and sustainable development in mussel cultivation. International Ergonomics Association 17th Triennial Congress [CD-Rom], Beijing, China.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vicente, K. J. (1998). Human factors and global problems: A systems approach. Systems Engineering, 1, 57–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitousek, P. M., Mooney, H. A., Lubchenco, J., & Melillo, J. M. (1997). Human domination of Earth’s ecosystems. Science, 277, 494–499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Carlowitz, H. C. (1713). Sylvicultura oeconomica, oder haußwirthliche nachricht und naturmäßige anweisung zur wilden baum-zucht [Economic news and instructions for the natural growing of wild trees]. Leipzig, Germany: Braun.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiese, B. S., Sauer, J., & Rüttinger, B. (2004). Consumers’ use of written product information. Ergonomics, 47, 1180–1194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J. R. (2014). Fundamentals of systems ergonomics/human factors. Applied Ergonomics, 45, 5–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wisner, A. (1985). Ergonomics in industrially developing countries. Ergonomics, 28, 1213–1224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Commission on Environmental Development. (1987). Our common future. Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, M. S., Birrell, S. A., & Stanton, N. A. (2011). Safe driving in a green world: A review of driver performance benchmarks and technologies to support ‘smart’ driving. Applied Ergonomics, 42, 533–539.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zink, K. J. (Ed.). (2008a). Corporate sustainability as a challenge for comprehensive management. Heidelberg, Germany: Physica-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zink, K. J. (2008b). New IEA Human Factors and Sustainable Development Technical Committee. HFES Bulletin, 51, 3–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zink, K. J. (2014). Designing sustainable work systems: The need for a systems approach. Applied Ergonomics, 45, 126–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Andrew Thatcher

  2. School of Business, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia

    Paul H. P. Yeow

Authors
  1. Andrew Thatcher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul H. P. Yeow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Andrew Thatcher

  2. School of Business, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia

    Paul H.P. Yeow

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Thatcher, A., Yeow, P.H.P. (2018). Introduction. In: Thatcher, A., Yeow, P. (eds) Ergonomics and Human Factors for a Sustainable Future. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8072-2_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8072-2_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-8071-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-8072-2

  • eBook Packages: Economics and FinanceEconomics and Finance (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation