Citation

Shahnavaz H. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 1989; 4(2): 91-100.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Industrialization via technology transfer is seen as the main development strategy by many developing countries (DC). The assumption that importation of advanced technology on its own, without adapting it to the environmental, physical, mental and sociocultural needs of the workforce in the receipient country would bring technical changes for the benefit of the majority of people has proved to be unrealistic.The failure to appreciate the characteristics and preferences of human operators has often frustrated technical development, alienated the work force and achieved little to improve the living and working conditions of the local people.Ergonomics is a useful tool for evaluating the choise of technology and its implementation and can contribute to the safe and productive transfer of technology. However, the area is fairly new or even unknown in many DC. They need assistance to acquire and apply the knowledge to their own need and capacity. It must also be emphasized that the available body of knowledge (e.g. standards, recommendations, procedures, etc.) concerning working conditions, occupational health and safety, which has been developed largely in industrialized countries (IC), often cannot be applied directly to DC, because of significant differences which are existing in all aspects of the work system between IC and DC.Since many factors influencing the nature, extent and diversity of problems are specific to each DC (e.g. climate, people, method of work, facilities, infrastructures of technology, finance, etc.) it is necessary to incorporate research into industrial development programmes.