Ergonomics/Human Factors and the Future of Work: A Global Systems Perspective

Details

• Personal Author:
  Thatcher, Andrew ; Acquah, Augustine A. ; Aublet-Cuvelier, Agnes ; Becker, Rob ; Bentley, Tim ; Boatca, Maria E. ; Braatz, Daniel ; Cheng, Hong-In ; Coutarel, Fabien ; Gangopadhyay, Somnath ; Green, Nicola ; Heaton, Nigel ; Hsiao, Hongwei ; Ma, Liang ; Mochimaru, Masaaki ; Mrugalska, Beata ; Nitsch, Verena ; Oliveira, Paulo A. B. ; Park, Taezoon ; Reiman, Arto ; Rodriguez, Yordan ; Roth, Gary ; Salve, Urmi R. ; Seva, Rosemary ; Tisch, Anita ; Todd, Andrew C. ; Torres, Yaniel ; Yagi, Yoshiko ; Yin, Shanqing ; Zhang, Wei
• Description:
  In a webinar series hosted by the International Ergonomics Association, the Future of Work Committee of the International Ergonomics Association gathered inputs about the future of work from ergonomics/human factors (E/HF) experts representing different regions around the world. Through these insights, four global megatrends relevant to E/HF driving the future of work were identified: labour-market supply; work informality; technology; and climate change. Next, we applied an E/HF systems approach, using causal loop diagrams, to explore the unfolding interrelationships between these megatrends at a global level and with a national level example to determine what novel insights can be uncovered using systems analysis. We demonstrate the power of E/HF systems thinking that can enable national E/HF societies and regional think-tanks to move beyond a siloed approach to megatrends. We conclude with some high-level suggestions for E/HF to consider in order to meet the future of work challenges.
• Subjects:
  Ergonomics Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Informal Work; Artificial Intelligence Ergonomics; Human Factors Engineering; Future Of Work; Artificial Intelligence; Work Arrangements; Emerging Technology;
• ISSN:
  0003-6870
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Texas ; Ohio ; Dallas Region [OSHA] ; Chicago Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSI - Division of Science Integration
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  13 pdf pages
• Volume:
  131
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071127
• Citation:
  Appl Ergon 2026 Feb; 131:104665
• Email:
  Andrew.Thatcher@wits.ac.za
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2026
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Ergonomics
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:93f7f6859b01ebfc4e4df515b7c5a974cec1bdf8483cdb3dd94dbeb9f7fa6ca256edb8e20247133e4164abf2dc9d48f0d8e696f50b21521204a987173f7f97f2
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/257903/cdc_257903_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.34 MB ]