A Study on Effect of Job Design and Ergonomics on Employee Performance in Indian Automotive Sector

Growing competition and the increasing need for adaptability often require organizations to switch and convert themselves according to the demand of circumstances. In this process of reformation, employee performance gets affected by many aspects. Aiming at connecting two broad occupational concepts this article analyses and tests the effect of Job Design and Ergonomics on Employee Performance and the relatedness of Job Design and Ergonomics. The research was conducted in 32 organizations, having managers and supervisors at about 64 categories of designations handling teams of workers in the manufacturing units, of the automotive sector of India. This quantitative study, based on a sample collected through 5 points Likert scale questionnaires, was analysed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), correlation, and multivariate regression analysis. The results manifested that CFA model and regression analysis described a significant impact of Job Design and Ergonomics on Employee Performance. The correlation outcomes revealed that Job Design and Ergonomics were well connected having p-value of .00, p < .005. The findings suggested, while focusing on improving the employee upshot, it becomes necessary for organizations to include Ergonomics in Job Design as a Design for Safety.

Design for safety in construction in Nigeria: a qualitative inquiry of the critical opportunities

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical opportunities for design for safety (DFS), the potential statutory (and non-statutory) health and safety (H&S) responsibilities of designers including DFS and its workability in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachInterviews were conducted among 28 multi-designers including Architects, Civil Engineers and Builders and the data was analysed thematically.FindingsThe study revealed that the likelihood of designers, clients, etc. inclining to change because of the infancy stage of H&S in developing countries, making it “fallow” for H&S was a barrier. The opportunities for DFS include the willingness of designers to develop DFS skills and knowledge, which results in a welcoming attitude towards DFS. Further, the success recorded by professional bodies on other regulatory matters and designers' greater inclination to comply with DFS when professional bodies are involved in the regulatory process of DFS remain key opportunities for DFS.Practical implicationsFor statutory-backed DFS to achieve the objective at the optimum level, the role of professional bodies in the regulatory and sensitisation processes, geographic differences in DFS legislation enforcement, nuanced and strategic design and enforcement of any legislation that will support DFS should be taken into consideration.Social implicationsA grassroots collaborative approach to developing and implementing DFS in the country and the exploitation of the zeal of designers to have DFS-related knowledge, is recommended.Originality/valueTo the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study that examines the opportunities for DFS in developing countries when it is (or not) supported by statute and the need to advance the understanding of DFS in developing countries through qualitative enquiry.