Emerging ergonomic associations: Achievements, obstacles, and lessons learned

Abstract

Self-evaluation and self-critics is a rare exercise, among the members or executive committees of academic and professional associations. Human factors and ergonomics associations throughout their seven decades of existence have rarely been evaluated. The aim of the present research is to highlight what objectives were achieved, what are the obstacles to attain the outlined objectives of the HF/E associations of the study sample, and what lessons can be learned throughout the existence of each society? To answer these questions, five responsible/representatives of four (4) HF/E associations participated in the discussion panel. Their answers to the three questions on: achievements, obstacles and lessons learned were stratified into categories of (1) achievements: seven goals have been achieved, (2) eight obstacles are facing HF/E societies to achieve their missions, and (3) twelve lessons are learned during life time of HF/E society from its inception to today. These results are discussed taking into account the context of each HF/E society, while having a critical eye when adopting experiences of other HF/E societies. Some of these are of great value, others cannot be applied locally. A particular emphasize steamed from the discussion among members of the panel is the implementation of workable strategies for short, medium and long terms to promote ergonomics at all levels.