Quantum ergonomics: shifting the paradigm of the systems agenda

Guy H Walker, Paul M. Salmon, Melissa Bedinger, Neville A. Stanton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)
101 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

A paradigm is an accepted world view. If we do not continually question our paradigm then wider trends and movements will overtake the discipline leaving it ill adapted to future challenges. This Special Issue is an opportunity to keep systems thinking at the forefront of ergonomics theory and practice. Systems thinking prompts us to ask whether ergonomics, as a discipline, has been too timid? Too preoccupied with the resolution of immediate problems with industrial-age methods when, approaching fast, are developments which could render these operating assumptions an irrelevance? Practical case studies are presented to show how abstract systems problems can be tackled head-on to deliver highly innovative and cost-effective insights. The strategic direction of the discipline foregrounds high-quality systems problems. These are something the discipline is well able to respond to provided that the appropriate operating paradigms are selected.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)157-166
Number of pages10
JournalErgonomics
Volume60
Issue number2
Early online date26 Oct 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2017

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