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Study Highlights Importance of Human Factors for Manufacturing Excellence

https://www.wittenborg.eu/study-highlights-importance-human-factors-manufacturing-excellence.htm

Paper by Ahmed Mehta Advocates for Integration of Human Factors with Technology

In an era of rapidly evolving technologies, companies have strived to achieve world-class manufacturing excellence. However, they often overlook the importance of human factors in fostering innovation and productivity. This motivated Wittenborg associate professor Ahmed Mehta to write the paper ‘Achieving World-Class Manufacturing Excellence: Integrating Human Factors and Technological Innovation’. Recently published in the open-access journal ‘Sustainability’, the work is co-authored by Wittenborg Head of the School of Business Rauf Abdul and Abdul Rahman Bin Senathirajah from INTI International University, Malaysia.  

According to Mehta, manufacturing human factors generally include ergonomics, workplace safety, employee morale or motivation, as well as the general welfare – both physical and mental – of workers. He adds that while ergonomic design focuses on creating a workplace environment that enhances comfort, safety and productivity, it is also important to involve workers in decision-making processes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and enhancing motivation and commitment. Moreover, it is crucial to invest in employee education, ensuring that workers are well-versed in the latest technologies and manufacturing processes. This includes both technical skills, such as operating new machinery, and soft skills, such as problem-solving and teamwork. 

“Previous research confirms that manufacturing organisations with high levels of management focus and innovation around human factors tend to outperform others in terms of manufacturing performance. Our goal with this study was to quantify the impact of human factors and technological innovation on manufacturing outcomes, providing empirical validation and data-driven insights – which are still scarce in this field,” the researcher says. 

To understand the impact of human and technological factors on productivity – and the outcomes of an integrated approach – the authors developed a comprehensive survey designed to assess the effects of ergonomic design, employee engagement, technological adoption, digitalisation, productivity, quality and sustainability. Data were collected through an online questionnaire completed by 350 employees and managers in the manufacturing sector. The target population consisted of manufacturing firms of various sizes, types and industry segments. 

Based on a detailed quantitative analysis of the data, the study provides strong evidence that both human factors and technological innovation have significant and direct effects on manufacturing performance. Moreover, the research suggests that integrating ergonomic designs, employee engagement and technological advancements can lead to substantial improvements in manufacturing efficiency and competitiveness.  

“Organisations that integrate human factors with technology are better positioned to capitalise on the Industry 4.0 phenomenon. For instance, the use of collaborative robots, or cobots, in manufacturing environments has been shown to increase productivity while ensuring employee safety and well-being. Companies that involve their employees in technology design and deployment tend to achieve higher efficiency and quality,” Mehta underlines.  

The authors argue that the integration of human factors and innovation requires cooperation between the various departments and stakeholders. This process can be facilitated by multifunctional teams that comprise members from the engineering, human resources and operation departments.  

The study also reveals several hurdles that organisations may face when attempting to combine human factors with technological innovation. The primary challenge is resistance to change, particularly when new technologies disrupt established workflows and job descriptions. “To address this, companies can adopt a change management strategy that involves employee engagement from the early stages of technology integration. This includes conducting training programmes to familiarise employees with new systems, providing ongoing support and fostering a culture of open communication where employees are encouraged to contribute feedback during the transition,” the researcher comments.  

Mehta concludes by underscoring the role of organisational culture in this integration process. “Cultures that promote openness, continuous learning, inclusivity and employee involvement are better equipped to leverage technological innovations effectively. In contrast, organisations with resistant or rigid cultures may encounter significant barriers to adopting and benefiting from new technologies.”

WUP 19/06/2025 
by Ulisses Sawczuk 
©WUAS Press 

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