This book provides a great collection of work design testimonies with transferable lessons across many industry sectors and domains. It discusses physiological and cognitive parameters, teamwork, social aspects, organizational, and broader factors that influence work design initiatives.
It is important to learn from practitioner stories and real-world conditions that affect the theoretical applications of work design. Readers will benefit from understanding the struggles and successes of the authors. The chapters cover a wide spectrum of human factors and user needs, including decision making in (ab)normal and safety-critical situations, physical ergonomics, design-in-use modifications, and tailored training. The text examines holistic approaches that lead to improved work methods, worker engagement, and effective system-wide interventions.
Ergonomic Insights: Successes and Failures of Work Design is primarily written for professionals and graduate students in the fields of ergonomics, human factors, and occupational health and safety. Educators will also benefit from using these case studies in class lessons.
Author Biography:
Dr Nektarios Karanikas is Associate Professor of Health, Safety and Environment at the School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, QUT. He was awarded his doctorate in Safety and Quality Management from Middlesex University (UK) and his MSc in Human Factors & Safety Assessment in Aeronautics from Cranfield University (UK). He holds engineering, health & safety, human factors and project management professional credentials and has been an active member of various prestigious international and regional associations.
Dr Karanikas graduated from the Hellenic Air Force Academy as an aeronautical engineer and worked as an officer in the Hellenic Air Force for more than 18 years before he resigned at the rank of Lt. Colonel in 2014. Whilst in the Air Force, he served in various positions related to maintenance and quality management and accident prevention and investigations, and he was lecturer and instructor for safety and human factors courses. After his resignation, he started his full-time academic career as Assoc. Prof. of Safety & Human Factors in the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences between 2014-2019.
Dr Karanikas has published numerous academic journal articles, including papers in top-tier journals, peer-reviewed conference papers and book chapters and has been invited to speak at several international and regional summits and workshops. In 2020, he published a co-edited book titled ‘Safety Insights: Success and Failure Stories of Practitioners’. He is associate editor for Safety Science and a member of editorial boards and a regular reviewer of safety and human factors-related journals. He also volunteers in various activities of professional bodies in Australia and internationally.
Dr Sara Pazell is a work design strategist and the managing director for ViVA health at work (work design specialty consultancy), working across all industries. This has operated for more than 17 years in Australia, helping clients solve real-world challenges and design "good work". Sara was awarded her doctorate in human factors & ergonomics from the University of Queensland through the Sustainable Minerals Institute, her Master of Business Administration with a major in international business development from the University of La Verne, California, and her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the University of South Australia. Sara has managed business development projects in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the United States, including assuming roles as an administrator and executive director of health care organisations.
Sara holds affiliations with five Australian universities, including that as an Industry Fellow with the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland. Sara provides teaching and research support in organisational science, business management, human factors, ergonomics, health and wellness, safety, and allied health. Sara is part of the international advisory committee for the WELL Movement concept v2 and an expert faculty member for Australia’s only certified Wellness WiseTM Practitioner training program. Sara was the committee chair for the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia’s Good Work Design position paper and supporting resources. Her other passions include instructing yoga, sports, and strength & conditioning.
