Prospective Ergonomics

Conclusion and Further Research

Introduction

The need for continued research into PE is considerable, especially considering the paucity of substantial academic work on the subject. In this concluding chapter, the contribution of this research is presented by elucidating how the five research questions have been answered. Furthermore, reflections on limitations and suggestions for future research are given.

Reflections on the research questions

Research question 1

What are the similarities and differences in terms of attitudes and approaches between PE and strategic design, preventive ergonomics and industrial design, corrective ergonomics and detail design?

When comparing PE to strategic design, it can be said that the development of innovative products and services is a common goal in both fields. However, the differences between the two fields are as follows:

• – in strategic design, innovation is mostly aimed at profit making, whereas in PE a balance between performance/productivity, on the one hand, and human well-being, on the other hand, is sought after;
• – PE aims at developing products which address a product and service which does not exist yet and at anticipating future needs in certain contexts. The aims in strategic design are more diverse, ranging from product extensions to incremental and radical innovation.

In industrial design and preventive ergonomic projects, the main objective is to conceptualize a feasible product or service design based upon a given context ...