Per Langaa Jensen

Lean and the working environment: a review of the literature

Purpose – The effects of lean on employees have been debated ever since the concept was introduced. The purpose of this paper is to review the scientific literature on the effects of lean on the working environment and employee health and well‐being.Design/methodology/approach – Relevant databases were searched for studies of lean and the working environment. In total, 11 studies with quantitative effects of lean are included in this review. The methodology and results are analysed to extract information about lean and the effects on working environment.Findings – There is strong evidence for the negative impact of lean on both the working environment and employee health and well‐being in cases of manual work with low complexity. However, since examples of positive effects were also found in the literature, it is important to move from a simple cause‐and‐effect model to a more comprehensive model that understands lean as an open and ambiguous concept, which can have both positive and negative effects depe...

Human factors and ergonomics in the planning of production

Abstract For years integration of ergonomics into the planning of new production processes has been an ideal for regulating agencies supported by ergonomic experts. But the ideal appears to be difficult to live up to. A development of tools both by agencies and by groups of researchers has been seen as the strategy to move ergonomics from repair activities towards integration into planning. But the tools are available. An overview of the tools developed and discussed in the last two decades in the Scandinavian countries is presented. It is, therefore, argued that the focus shall be on the broader issues of organizational conditions for giving ergonomics a stronger position in the firm. Ergonomists have to tackle these issues, but it implies a new understanding of their roles, which goes beyond the traditional discussion of expert versus facilitator. The paper is based on an evaluation of a Swedish research program of a new approach to intervention studies on musculoskeletal diseases, on a major Danish research program on integrating ergonomics (working environment) into the planning activities of the enterprises and on discussions with the staff of the Danish mandatory occupational health and safety services on their roles as consultants to firms. Relevance to industry It is often argued from an economic and ergonomic point of view that ergonomic considerations should be integrated into the planning processes, but it is seldom the case in practice. Tools for establishing this integration are available. Therefore, the organizational preconditions should be addressed. This implies a change of the understanding of the role of the people possessing the ergonomic knowledge in and affiliated to the enterprise from ‘expert’ to ‘organizational activist’.

Workplace assessment: a tool for occupational health and safety management in small firms?

This paper discusses the capability of small firms to comply with legislative demands on risk assessment. The results of a national survey show that only a minor fraction of small firms comply. Two case studies demonstrate that small firms are able to meet the demands. An analysis of these cases leads to some hypotheses on the preconditions for compliance. Many firms need a person to mediate legislative demands. The demands for qualifications to fulfil this role are discussed. The conclusion is that it is possible to qualify persons as mediators. Therefore, to stimulate ergonomic activities in small firms resources for such mediators are required. The occupational health services are able to train a staff to undertake the task.

Ergonomics and sustainability - challenges from global supply chains

The development of globalised supply chains is a major challenge for sustainability. For several years, there has been discussion within the profession whether and how ergonomics and human factors can play a role. Based on our research, we have identified five major challenges from global supply chains especially related to the social aspects of sustainability: (1) criteria for social sustainability, (2) the role of key performance indicators in the management of supply chains, (3) the constant changes in supply chains, (4) the challenge in establishing participation, and (5) the development of agency and regulatory mechanisms. There are obviously no clear and simple solutions to these challenges. One possible avenue for progress might lie in acquiring a greater understanding of the challenges from global supply chains and developing a strategy which combines social and long-term business sustainability. Starting from such a basis, the next step would be to find ways for the ergonomics and human factors community to create international collaboration which can impact specific global supply chains.

Action-oriented approaches to technology assessment and working life in scandinavia

Several approaches to action-oriented technology assessment of aspects of working life have been tried out in Scandinavia over the past 15-20 years. This article gives an overview of the experiences in Scandinavia, with emphasis on a Danish point of view. Five different approaches to action-oriented technology assessment are described, based on an analysis of the social actors involved, the target groups for the technology assessment and the associated social mechanisms. These techniques follow the collective resource approach, the cooperative strategies, expert strategies and alternative technology, legal reform strategies and governmental technology promotion policy. None of the approaches proved to be totally effective on its own. The conclusion is that a new combination of approaches to action-oriented technology assessment and the development of a theoretical basis are needed.

Frames, agency and institutional change: the case of benchmarking in Danish construction

Abstract This study examines change and the sources influencing the formulation and diffusion of policies in construction. The change examined is the introduction of a benchmarking policy initiative in the Danish construction industry. Using institutional theory with emphasis on the concepts of frames and framings, we show how strategically motivated actors are able to frame policy problems in ways that disclose the mixture of motives, interests and institutional mechanisms at play in change processes. In doing so, we contribute to the literature on the role of agency in institutional change and the framing of policy problems. We conclude by highlighting how insights gained from the framing perspective present a challenge to the dominant comprehensive rationalist view of the policy process and the formulation and implementation of reform initiatives.

Utilization of Research Results by the Employees

In the last 10–15 years there has been a general increase in research on the social implications of introducing new technology at the workplace. In the Scandinavian countries, social scientists have had different strategies for utilizing the results of this research.