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Mapping the state of the art of ergonomics within logistics

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Abstract

There is a growing need for businesses to pay attention to human well-being, providing people with the conditions necessary for meeting organizational goals, which depend on logistical, production, and supply chain processes functioning as a whole. In that light, the present work seeks to construct a mapping of existing academic publications regarding ergonomics within the field of logistics, and assemble a bibliographic portfolio of the most relevant and applicable works, in the opinion of the researchers. Towards this end, a bibliometric analysis was carried out with the goal of gaining insight as to the most-recurring topics: authors, articles, periodicals and keywords in this field. This work is characterized as exploratory-descriptive research; besides this, it employs mixed qualitative and quantitative data analysis by way of the Knowledge Development Process—Constructivist intervention instrument (ProKnow-C). Resulting from this, 15 relevant and 512 reference articles were selected, which went on to form the bibliographic portfolio. Upon completion of bibliometric analysis of the articles and references composing the bibliographic portfolio, the following evidences was concluded: the academic journals International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Ergonomics and Applied Ergonomics; the articles titled “Precision of measurements of physical workload during standardised manual handling. Part I: Surface electromyography of m. trapezius, m. infraspinatus and the forearm extensors” and “Ergonomic evaluation of complex work: A participative approach employing video–computer interaction, exemplified in a study of order picking”; the keywords “Human Factors”, “Supply Chain”, “Material Handling”, “Logistics” and “Ergonomics”; and the most-cited authors being the following: Neumann, W. P.; Marras, W. S.; Winkel, J.; Hansson, G. Å.; Skerfving S.; Mathiassen, S. E., and Medbo, L. T. Once the results are unique, they are appropriate only for the particular case, so it cannot be recommended for other contexts. The ProKnow-C process, however, is general and can be used in any context.

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Fig. 1

Source: data provided by the authors (2016)

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Source: data provided by the authors (2016)

Fig. 3

Source: prepared by the authors (2016)

Fig. 4

Source: prepared by the authors (2016)

Fig. 5

Source: prepared by the authors (2016)

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the authors that contributed to Ensslin et al. (2010, 2012), who proposed the “Knowledge Development Process Constructivist—ProKnowC” research instrument, which has contributed to the systemization of bibliometric analysis as well as other types of academic investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC, Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil

    Mauricio Johnny Loos, Eugenio Merino & Carlos Manuel Taboada Rodriguez

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  1. Mauricio Johnny Loos
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  2. Eugenio Merino
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  3. Carlos Manuel Taboada Rodriguez
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Correspondence to Mauricio Johnny Loos.

Appendix: Works composing the bibliographic portfolio used during research

Appendix: Works composing the bibliographic portfolio used during research

ACOSTA, Gabriel García; MORALES, Karen Lange. Macroergonomic study of food sector company distribution centres. Applied ergonomics, v. 39, n. 4, p. 439–449, 2008.

ANUMBA, C. J.; SIEMIENIUCH, C. E.; SINCLAIR, M. A. Supply chain implications of concurrent engineering. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, v. 30, n. 7/8, p. 566–597, 2000.

BRUZZONE, Agostino et al. Logistics node simulator as an enabler for supply chain development: innovative portainer simulator as the assessment tool for human factors in port cranes. Simulation, v. 87, n. 10, p. 857–874, 2011.

CHAKRAVORTY, Satya S. Improving distribution operations: Implementation of material handling systems. International Journal of Production Economics, v. 122, n. 1, p. 89–106, 2009.

FERGUSON, Sue A. et al. Biomechanical, psychosocial and individual risk factors predicting low back functional impairment among furniture distribution employees. Clinical Biomechanics, v. 27, n. 2, p. 117–123, 2012.

FIGUEIRA, Sara; MACHADO, V. Cruz; NUNES, Isabel L. Integration of human factors principles in LARG organizations—a conceptual model. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation, v. 41, p. 1712–1719, 2012.

GROSSE, Eric H. et al. Incorporating human factors in order picking planning models: framework and research opportunities. International Journal of Production Research, v. 53, n. 3, p. 695–717, 2015.

KADEFORS, Roland; FORSMAN, Mikael. Ergonomic evaluation of complex work: a participative approach employing video–computer interaction, exemplified in a study of order picking. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, v. 25, n. 4, p. 435–445, 2000.

KUHLANG, P.; EDTMAYR, T.; SIHN, W. Methodical approach to increase productivity and reduce lead time in assembly and production-logistic processes. CIRP Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology, v. 4, n. 1, p. 24–32, 2011.

NILSSON, Fredrik. Logistics management in practice–towards theories of complex logistics. International Journal of Logistics Management, The, v. 17, n. 1, p. 38–54, 2006.

NORDANDER, Catarina et al. Precision of measurements of physical workload during standardised manual handling. Part I: surface electromyography of m. trapezius, m. infraspinatus and the forearm extensors. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, v. 14, n. 4, p. 443–454, 2004.

NEUMANN, W. P.; MEDBO, Lars. Ergonomic and technical aspects in the redesign of material supply systems: Big boxes versus narrow bins. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, v. 40, n. 5, p. 541–548, 2010.

PEZZULLO, Luca; FILIPPO, Roberto De. Perceptions of industrial risk and emergency management procedures in Hazmat Logistics: A qualitative mental model approach. Safety Science, v. 47, n. 4, p. 537–541, 2009.

REINHOLD, Karin et al. Innovations at workplace: improvement of ergonomics. Inzinerine Ekonomika-Engineering Economics, v. 5, p. 85–94, 2008.

ROSSI, Diana et al. A multi-criteria ergonomic and performance methodology for evaluating alternatives in “manuable” material handling. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, v. 43, n. 4, p. 314–327, 2013.

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Loos, M.J., Merino, E. & Rodriguez, C.M.T. Mapping the state of the art of ergonomics within logistics. Scientometrics 109, 85–101 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-016-1960-z

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