Eric Min-yang Wang

Development of anthropometric work environment for Taiwanese workers

Abstract This paper presents the first-stage extended results of an anthropometry survey project that has been done recently in Taiwan. The purpose of the anthropometry survey project was to construct a static and dynamic anthropometric database for local workers, for use by designers and engineers involved in designing the work-related facilities. Local human factors researchers and specialists were involved in this large-scale survey. According to the worker population structure in Taiwans main industries, 1200 subjects were measured. The database consists of data for 266 static-body dimensions and 42 dynamic ranges of motion. The statistical data are presented in a conventional paper hardcopy handbook and a computerized on-line searching system. It is expected that the data can be used by designers and engineers to create ergonomically designed equipment, devices, and work environment for local workers, thereby ensuring a safe work environment. Based on such data, the primary dimensions for work environment design applications were also proposed. In addition, the stature ratio for males was compared with that of females. Relevance to industry The anthropometric data collected in this work provide the designers and engineers the basis for designing safe, healthy, and comfort work environment and facilities for Taiwanese workers. These data can further be analyzed and used for production and inventory planning to meet the market demand and reduce the costs.

A reappraisal on advanced planning and scheduling systems

Purpose – This paper sets out to present a reappraisal on advanced planning and scheduling (APS) systems in industrial settings and propose an effective approach for APS implementation.Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach is adopted, and a research framework comprising human‐, technological‐, and organizational‐dimensions is developed to analyze the evidence database which includes business flows, system design documents, archival records, post‐system assessment, participant‐observation and semi‐structured interviews.Findings – The findings indicate that real‐world production planning problems are ill‐defined, complex and dynamic. A post‐implementation evaluation reveals major pitfalls in the technology‐dominant approach, whose negative ramifications are usually overlooked. Besides, these APS implementation pitfalls are found to be attributable to the real‐world context, human factors and organizational aspects.Research limitations/implications – Despite advances in information technology (...

An integrated framework for continuous improvement on user satisfaction of information systems

Purpose – The primary purpose of this paper is to present an integrated framework for user interface prototyping and evaluation for the development of information systems and to present architecture for evaluating generic applications.Design/methodology/approach – The framework is constructed through combining two distinctive methods of prototyping and evaluation, statechart and goals, operators, methods, and selection rules. Relevant methods and architectures of the integrated framework are presented in unified modeling language when possible.Findings – The importance of the usability of information systems is highlighted in this research. However, it still lacks an integrated framework for information system development and usability evaluation. This paper provides a framework that evaluation method is intertwined with user interface prototyping to shorten the time of development lifecycle. The architecture for evaluating generic applications is also invaluable for motion and time study and the procurem...

Evaluation research of information and supporting interface in electronic commerce web sites

The purpose of this paper is to find a better B2C environment through collecting what information and supporting interfaces are provided on current B2C web sites. We build a checklist based on the framework of B2C consumer behavior model and used it to evaluate current B2C web sites among three categories: purchasing process, types of products, and the source of web sites. The results indicated that poor information or supporting interface design was provided on web sites during the “evaluating and comparing” process. More information or supporting interface design was provided on the internet bookstore, less information or supporting interface design was provided on web sites that sell tickets and flowers. The local web sites provided more information or supporting interface design than international web sites. The results also showed that the difference is highly significant.

Reducing cognitive workload of a computer-based procedure system

The use of procedure systems is an important safety management strategy in coping with emergency or abnormal situations in a process control system. With the digitalization trend in these complex and large-scale systems, most aspects of a process control system are also computerized. In addition to the primary tasks, operators now have to do extra secondary tasks when using the computerized systems. In this research, three design features aimed to reduce the cognitive workload are evaluated on our research platform, SimCBP and SimPlant. These two systems work in tandem to simulate a Computer-Based Procedure (CBP) system and a simplified nuclear power plant. From the results of the experiments, the design of embedded controls/parameters is found to be efficient but its counterpart has implications for the design of training materials. Navigation aid, although not statistically significant, is important because of the subjective responses and the need of cross-referencing. The simplified flowchart display format, like other researches on the use of this format, revealed mixed results. Implications and directions for future studies are also proposed.

A study on thumb and index finger operated interface for personal mobile devices: Mobile phone keypad and joystick

This study intends to redesign the user interface of mobile devices to ease the heavy workload on the thumb as well as to better fit our hand with the devices when grasping. Based on the motion characteristics of thumb and index finger and the one-handed operated interface requirements, a new design idea was emerged. The design principles were taken into consideration for the new interface design in order to increasing comfort and reducing muscle workload of the thumb. The method of this study is divided into two stages: new device innovation and evaluation. After experimental analysis, this study suggests: 1. Designing the contoured grasping region based on user anthropometric data for the mobile devices will provide a more comfortable grasp. 2. It is recommended that the center of keypad be located at near the thumb tip for both minimizing the joint angle changes of operating digits and enhancing the accessibility of the thumb. 3. The effort of adding index finger keys for reducing thumb fatigue level is not seem to be obvious. The results can contribute to design of one-handed mobile device.

The Establishment of Anthropometric Database in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to construct a static and dynamic anthropometric database for domestic population in Taiwan. This anthropometric database is divided into static body dimensions and dynamic ranges of motion. A direct measurement method was applied to measure static body dimensions and an optical method was employed for dynamic range measurement. The static body dimensions include three parts furthermore. The first part is to measure the space coordinates of landmarks of body surface and calculate the meaningful related distances between any two landmarks. The equipment to take the space coordinates of surface landmarks is a 3-D coordination measuring probe. Ninety four surface landmarks are measured and 141 items are calculated in this part. The second part is to measure the length and thickness dimensions of human body with a digital caliper and 27 items are measured. The third part is to measure the circumference and length of the curve with a digital tape measure. Ninety eight items are measured here. The dynamic ranges of motion contain 42 angles of motion of major body joints. The equipment used to measure the ranges of motion is a 3-D motion analyzer. A total of 10019 subjects were measured, i.e. 1200 workers, 610 Army soldiers, 502 university students, 1200 senior high school students, 3207 junior high school students and 3300 elementary school students. The age ranges from 12 to 64 years old. The data are presented in a computerized query system. It is expected that the data can be used by designers, engineers or any other people for developing ergonomic designs of equipment, product and workplace environment, and standard legislation. Ultimately, a healthy and comfortable living environment and a high quality of working life can be achieved in the near future.

Associated Health Behaviors and Beliefs from a Self-paid Colonoscopy Population at a Regional Hospital in Northern Taiwan

OBJECTIVE: Understand the situation at Self-paid Colonoscopy Population the Health Behaviors, Health Beliefs and colon cancer Screening Knowledge. Impact of colonoscopy results and basic demographics, health behavior, colonoscopy knowledge, health beliefs. METHODS: This study was conducted 201 voluntary Self-paid Colonoscopy patients. Research questionnaire containing demographic data, Health Behavior, Colorectal cancer screening knowledge, Colonoscopy examination Health Beliefs. The results of this questionnaire will be analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Subjects have poor screening knowledge and less healthy behaviors. Positive relationship between health beliefs and screening knowledge (P = 0.006). Health beliefs had significant effects on gender, marital status, body mass index, health behaviors, screening experience and family history (P < 0.05). The results of colonoscopy had significant effects on age (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that there is a positive correlation between screening knowledge and Health Beliefs. People’s poor knowledge of colorectal cancer lead to people do not trust colonoscopy, is the biggest obstacle to screening for colorectal cancer. The male sex and people over the age of 50 in the colonoscopy knowledge absorption worse than others, especially for the knowledge of colorectal polyps is the worst. However, people under the age of 50 do not care much about the government subsidy stool occult blood related information. The study also found that patients over the age of 60 compared with 30 to 39 years old subjects have a higher probability of predicting the risk of adenoma.

The Effectiveness of Cardiac Rehabilitation Patient Education Through Various Media

Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the leading cause of death globally for the past 15 years according to the updated data from World Health Organization in January 2017. Deaths caused by IHD increased by an estimated 41.7% from 1990 to 2013. Therefore, in addition to medical procedure improvement, continuing efforts should be put in the prevention and control of heart disease by actively educating people and promoting self-health management. For patients with coronary artery disease, cardiac rehabilitation may reduce its recurrence and mortality. By practicing the cardiac rehabilitation, the rates of subsequent coronary events would be decreased and the morbidity and the total mortality would be reduced as well. Patient education is also an important part of the cardiac rehabilitation, while its effectiveness through various media may be different. Purpose: To explore and compare the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation patient education among three types of media, text only, text and pictures, and video. Methods: This study was divided into two stages. The first stage was the testing of validity of “Cardiac Rehabilitation Awareness Scale (CRAS)” done by five experts. The second stage was the test of the effectiveness of various media by 90 subjects using the CRAS. The subjects were divided into three groups and each group used one type of patient education medium. The subjects carried out the tests according to five different age levels. Results: 1. The validity of “Cardiac Rehabilitation Awareness Scale” was confirmed as a measurement tool of the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation patient education. 2. There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of patient education of the three media (P = 0.6001) but “video” received highest subjects preference. Conclusion: It is suggested that currently for clinical application, the “text and pictures” material may be used to educate the IHD patients for its convenience, low cost and preference. With the development of information and communication technology, the “video” may be the better option in the future.

A Study on Influential Factors of the Elderly’s Shopping Channel Selection for General Merchandise Retailers

Due to population aging, complete social welfare system and retirement plans, the elderly will become one of the mainstreams of consumer market. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that may affect the elderly’s shopping channel selection for general merchandise retailers. In-depth interview applied in this study to explore the elderly basic needs of the shopping process. Through actual interview with 13 senior citizens who must be over 65 years old. We extract 45 factors that may affect the elderly’s shopping channel selection, and then classify each factor into specific dimension. Although this study belongs to consumer psychology, it’s based on the concept of human factors engineering. If we want to explore all various factors in the process of consumption, only understand consumer demand truly, so that the enterprise may create friendly shopping environment for elderly consumer.