Challenges to Engaging Human Factors/Ergonomics Practitioners to Publish and Present Case Studies.

Abstract

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSThe aims of human factors Practitioner Case sessions at the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) triennial world congress are to learn from cases, give feedback to researchers, and market ergonomics. Human Science research and Human Factor/Ergonomics are different activities. Both disciplines are equally important for the IEA community. However, in practice, there is a gap to bridge between both disciplines. A practitioner case concerns actual interventions in work situations or work systems. A Practitioner Case study is a report on the systematic design, or redesign, and implementation of a work system. This article summarizes the Practitioner Track of the IEA2021 congress, as well as earlier comparable events. Along two lines, conclusions are drawn: (1) There are good reasons to publish case material; and (2) Research challenges arise as a consequence of real case studies.