Human Performance Factors Research Articles

Human Factor Performance Evaluation Model for Barrier-Free Access Facilities in Residential Communities Based on Demand Priority Levels of Four Typical Ramps

Human Factor Performance Evaluation Model for Barrier-Free Access Facilities in Residential Communities Based on Demand Priority Levels of Four Typical Ramps

Human performance in the rail freight yard

Human performance in the rail freight yard has been identified as a source of risk for rail freight operations. This is both within the yard itself, and also with train preparation issues leading to incidents on the network. The rail freight yard is an area that has received limited research attention. Over 30 hours of observations were conducted at five major freight yards in Great Britain, along with 30 interviews of rail freight ground staff. Task models, human performance factors and potential solutions that were further explored in a workshop with freight personnel. This analysis led to an understanding of freight yard activities, the impact of freight yard design and environment, and the role external pressures on freight yard performance including upstream planning. The implications are discussed for both current freight operations, and for future technology and process change within the rail freight sector.

Reducing flight upset risk and startle response: A study of the wake vortex alert with licensed commercial pilots

The study aimed at investigating the impact of an innovative Wake Vortex Alert (WVA) avionics on pilots' operation and mental states, intending to improve aviation safety by mitigating the risks associated with wake vortex encounters (WVEs). Wake vortices, generated by jet aircraft, pose a significant hazard to trailing or crossing aircrafts. Despite existing separation rules, incidents involving WVEs continue to occur, especially affecting smaller aircrafts like business jets, resulting in aircraft upsets and occasional cabin injuries. To address these challenges, the study focused on developing and validating an alert system that can be presented to air traffic controllers, enabling them to warn flight crews. This empowers the flight crews to either avoid the wake vortex or secure the cabin to prevent injuries. The research employed a multidimensional approach including an analysis of human performance and human factors (HF) issues to determine the potential impact of the alert on pilots' roles, tasks, and mental states. It also utilizes Human Assurance Levels (HALs) to evaluate the necessary human factors support based on the safety criticality of the new system. Realistic flight simulations were conducted to collect data of pilots' behavioural, subjective and neurophysiological responses during WVEs. The data allowed for an objective evaluation of the WVA impact on pilots' operation, behaviour and mental states (mental workload, stress levels and arousal). In particular, the results highlighted the effectiveness of the alert system in facilitating pilots' preparation, awareness and crew resource management (CRM). The results also highlighted the importance of avionics able to enhance aviation safety and reducing risks associated with wake vortex encounters. In particular, we demonstrated how providing timely information and improving situational awareness, the WVA will minimize the occurrence of WVEs and contribute to safer aviation operations.

The association of the ACE gene I/D polymorphism and in-game performance in elite Rugby Union players

Genetic variation has been proposed as a factor in human athletic performance. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been studied extensively albeit with heterogeneous results. The insertion (I) and deletion (D) alleles have been associated with altered serum and tissue ACE, as well as endurance- and power-based performance respectively. It is suggested the distinction in rugby union performance can be partly attributed to variations in the ACE gene. The aim of this study was to identify associations between the ACE I/D genetic polymorphism and in-game performance in elite (≥ 5 games at top-flight) rugby union athletes. The athlete cohort consisted of 347 Caucasian men, divided into positional groups (backs and forwards) and positional subgroups (front five, back row, halves, centres, and back three). Ethical approval was provided by Manchester Metropolitan University with written informed consent obtained from all participants. Genotyping and genotype analysis was performed using a combination of the X9 High-Throughput Genomics System (Standard BioTools) and the StepOnePlus™ Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems) and their respective corresponding software. IBM SPSS Statistics 28 (SPSS, Chicago, IL) software was used to conduct Pearson's Chi-square (χ2) test of independence comparing genotype and allelic frequencies and the Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U tests to investigate differences between genotypes. Genotypic and allelic frequencies did not differ at the population level, nor at the positional group/subgroup levels. Performance did not differ between genotypes nor alleles at the population and positional group levels. Back row II genotypes beat more defenders than IDs (P = 0.008) but completed fewer tackles than both IDs (P = 0.05) and DDs (P = 0.013). Halfback DDs missed fewer tackles than both IDs (P = 0.003) and IIs (P = 0.01). Centre DD genotypes made more carries than IIs (P = 0.006). Back three IIs scored more tries than both IDs (P = 0.005) and DDs (P = 0.007) and made more clean breaks than IDs (P = 0.004). Most of the existing literature has been concerned with identifying the ACE gene as a marker of elite performance. To our knowledge, this is the first study to elucidate how the inter-personal differences in rugby union performance are influenced by the ACE I/D polymorphism. The findings from this study may provide novel insight into the specialisation of training and rehabilitation modalities for athletes, based on their genetic makeup.

MAPEO DE LOS DETERMINANTES ORGANIZATIVOS DEL RENDIMIENTO LABORAL

The purpose of the present research was to identify and assess key organizational factors affecting work performance via Gilbert´s Behavioral Engineering Model (BEM). Therefore, a self-made scale considering BEM´s dimensions was developed and tested. Data were gathered from the 1st of April to end of May 2023, using a randomly stratified sample of 297 Mexican companies of Sonora State. The final questionnaire – named ADOPTproved adequate psychometric properties to assess eight organizational factors of human performance proposed. ADOPT liability and validity are shown in the light of commented literature and data on present organizational effectiveness and corporate longevity. Main results indicate a global alpha scale liability of .92 being Task Support, knowledge/Competences, and Context most valued predictors of organizational effectiveness, followed by Aims/Objectives and Feedback factors. It was also confirmed that both contextual (environmental level) and behaviour (individual level) type of supports are equally important in predicting work performance. Evidence indicates that organizational performance management in SMEs is highly achieved on a long-term basis by attending these key factors in a specific loop, i.e. contextualising, system maintenance (feedback), and empowering. This sequence support personnel assessments as essential for empowering decision-making processes.

Kajian Faktor Kinerja Sumber Daya Manusia Kontraktor Terhadap Kualitas Mutu Pekerjaan Proyek Kontruksi Jalan di Kota Sungai Penuh

Infrastructure development in the regions is the key to creating an advanced and prosperous society, with a focus on road infrastructure as the engine of economic growth. In Sungaipuh City, the implementation of human resources in road construction projects from 2018-2022 has not been optimal. Of the 60 projects reviewed, around 50 projects demonstrated inadequate quality of human resource performance. The aim of the research is to explore human resource performance factors that influence project quality and strategies to improve them. The results show 37 variables that affect performance, including motivation, experience, compensation, human resource management, loyalty, discipline, work environment, competency, and capacity building and corporate image. This last factor has the greatest influence. To improve performance, the strategy includes comprehensive training, identification of training needs, selection of participants, application of technology in training, collaboration between stakeholders, overcoming employee turnover, and efficient budget management.

Innovation-based Human Resources Performance Improvement Strategy to Support Tourism Recovery at Tourism Village

Research aim: This study aims to analyze the internal and external factors of human resource performance in order to formulate a strategy to improve human resource performance based on innovation in tourism villages in the Magelang area
 Design/Methode/Approach: This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach. Primary data were obtained based on interview data collection methods and participatory observation. SWOT analysis was used as the data analysis method.
 Research Finding: The results showed strategy formulations to improve human resource performance. The proposed strategies become an effort to restore tourism activities in the new normal era after Pandemi Covid-19. 
 Theoretical contribution/Originality: This study identified the internal and external conditions of human resources based on innovation factors.
 Practitioner/Policy Implication: The results give implications to the manager in order to improve human resource performance including increasing the intensity of human resource training and development programs, increasing the competence of human resources to innovate and create an integrated tour package according to the needs of tourists, providing adequate health facilities for human resources, increasing cooperation with other tourism actors, and make a long term of human resource development planning based on innovation.
 Research limitation: This research conducted limited on the tourism villages in the Magelang area as a tourism object. Further research can develop other tourism areas with different characteristic to expand research benefits.

Knowledge Sharing and Transfer Frameworks: Lessons from Sub-Saharan South Africa.

The success of Sub-Saharan South Africa’s public sector could be deemed dependent on context-relevant knowledge sharing and transfer (KST) frameworks to facilitate knowledge exchange. Knowledge sharing and transfer frameworks which facilitate knowledge management (KM) are still largely influenced by Western research studies, these contributions dominate the field. The extant knowledge sharing and transfer public management frameworks increasingly reflect a predominantly western oriented bias towards objectivist perspectives on knowledge, the alternate practice-based knowledge sharing and transfer frameworks, considered responsive to Sub-Saharan African knowledge exchange problems are under-investigated. This paper thus aims to understand ‘what KST framework factors enhance public management in Sub-Saharan South Africa’. The research was designed as a qualitative study underpinned by interpretivist philosophy. Qualitative data were collected from 15 public sector practitioners, using the semi-structured interview technique. Thematic Analysis and Trans Positional Cognition Approach was used to analyse the data collected. The findings from this study yielded four themes namely, Unique antecedent performance factors; Human performance factors; Organisational performance factors and Continuous learning performance strategies. Rahman’s knowledge sharing and transfer conceptual model was adopted as a theoretical framework and used to better understand the findings of this work. Applying the theoretical framework, we note elements within Rahman’s model could be deemed more applicable in a Western context as it only confirmed two of the study’s four findings. We therefore propose the output of this study as new knowledge within the Knowledge sharing and transfer frameworks’ domain. Our contribution is compatible with the Sub-Saharan South African organisational context. The implication of this within context is that KST implementation in sub-Saharan South Africa could deemed bottom up oriented as against the western approach which is top-down. This study thus contributes to a better understanding of KST Framework implementation in Sub Saharan South Africa and provides opportunity for future research work in this field.

How can human factors close the gender data gap?

AbstractThis commentary paper will describe how the discipline of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) can help to close the gender data gap, which is prevalent across many domains and arises due to a lack of data capturing female metrics and viewpoints. HFE is a domain‐independent discipline that seeks to understand human performance and well‐being with respect to the interactions that humans engage in and the environments that they inhabit. HFE therefore presents an opportunity to understand how gender influences human performance, effective design, social interactions, and environmental factors. This paper argues that a sociotechnical systems approach is essential when reviewing equality, diversity, and inclusivity issues, without which attempts to close the gender data gap will not go far enough. Following the sociotechnical systems approach in HFE, the micro‐, meso‐, and macro‐levels of system design with respect to closing the gender data gap are reviewed. We discuss these issues in relation to a case study example of a crash test dummy. A checklist approach for researchers is presented, which identifies key questions that prompt where gender should be considered in the research process across these levels of sociotechnical systems.

Factors Influencing Human Resource Performance in Riau Prison Building Construction Projects in 2021-2022

This study aimed to identify, analyze human resource performance factors in prison building construction projects in Riau and provide recommendations to find the dominant factors of human resource performance in building construction projects in Riau. The population in this study was the Public Works Agency (KPU), supervisory consultants, contractors that execute the building construction projects in Riau. Quantitative method was applied in this study. The data was collected through questionnaires, while data processing was carried out by SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The results of this study showed that there are 8 human resource performance factors, such as work ability, work environment, discipline, compensation, experience, competence, motivation, and loyalty. From data processing, 11 new factors were formed becoming the dominant factors, specifically professional and responsible factors. These can be seen in the Total Variance Explained table which show the largest percent of variance are professionalism and responsibility factors with a percentage extraction level which is 14.518%. Of the 8 human resource performance factors, the most dominant is professionalism and responsibility with variables from loyal variables in the application of company rules, ability to comply with project management regulations, responsibility for the work carried out, able to work optimally, effectively and efficiently, and give full time, energy, and mind to the completion of work.

Research on the Performance of Rural Residential Environment Governance in the Yangtze River Delta Region

Since the proposal of the rural revitalization strategy, "livable", "suitable for work", and "beautiful" have become the development goals of rural areas in the new era, among which the improvement of rural living environment issues has become an inherent requirement for rural revitalization. This article is based on the provincial and municipal regions of the Yangtze River Delta region, constructs a performance evaluation system for rural human settlement environment governance, and uses the entropy weight method to explore the influencing factors of rural human settlement environment governance performance in the Yangtze River Delta region.

The Relevance of Attention Control, Not Working Memory, in Human Factors.

Discuss the human factors relevance of attention control (AC), a domain-general ability to regulate information processing functions in the service of goal-directed behavior. Working memory (WM) measures appear as predictors in various applied psychology studies. However, measures of WM reflect a mixture of memory storage and controlled attention making it difficult to interpret the meaning of significant WM-task relations for human factors. In light of new research, complex task performance may be better predicted or explained with new measures of attention control rather than WM. We briefly review the topic of individual differences in abilities in Human Factors. Next, we focus on WM, how it is measured, and what can be inferred from significant WM-task relations. The theoretical underpinnings of attention control as a high-level factor that affects complex thought and behavior make it useful in human factors, which often study performance in complex and dynamic task environments. To facilitate research on attention control in applied settings, we discuss a validated measure of attention control that predicts more variance in complex task performance than WM. In contrast to existing measures of WM or AC, our measures of attention control only require 3minutes each (10minutes total) and may be less culture-bound making them suitable for use in applied settings. Explaining or predicting task performance relations with attention control rather than WM may have dramatically different implications for designing more specific, equitable task interfaces, or training. A highly efficient ability predictor can help researchers and practitioners better understand task requirements for human factors interventions or performance prediction.

The Survey And Perspective Of Human Factors Associated With Maintenance Activity

Maintenance is the work needed to keep plant and equipment in proper condition, and it is one of twenty elements of process safety management and the purpose of maintenance activities is to keep equipment in a good condition for performance during the operation process. However, ineffective maintenance may have a negative effect on performance. The consequence of ineffective maintenance can shorten the life of equipment or plant, can be harmful to workers who perform the maintenance tasks, and lead to accidents or incidents. Ineffective maintenance occurs as a result of many reasons, such as but not limited to human factors like complexity of maintenance task, poorly written maintenance procedure, fatigue and Organizational Factors such as poor experience, lack of training, lack of safety systems and barriers, and Poor health and safety culture. The aim of this study is to identify common human performance factors associated with maintenance and identify its influence on human error in aging oil and gas plants in the United Aarab Emirates. Five case studies are presented to identify human factors contributed to the accident during maintenance activities and to identify its linkage with human error, then survey strategy is used for data collection and a structured questionnaire is designed and distributed among people who involved in maintenance activities in UAE. The research concludes that understanding work procedures is influenced by the maintenance experience of the workers and communication between workers and management and safety culture has an influence on human error.

Strategi peningkatan kinerja SDM sebagai upaya pemulihan pariwisata pada Balkondes kawasan Borobudur

This study aims to analyze the internal and external factors of human resource performance to formulate a strategy to improve human resource performance at Balkondes in the Borobudur area to restore tourism in the new normal era. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach. Primary data were obtained based on interview data collection methods and participatory observation. SWOT analysis, IFAS, and EFAS were used as data analysis methods. The results showed that a change in strategy was necessary. Strategy formulations for improving human resource performance include increasing the intensity of human resource training and development programs and increasing the competence of human resources to create an integrated tour package according to the needs of tourists. Moreover, management needs to provide adequate health facilities for human resources, increase cooperation with other tourism actors, and create long-term human resource development planning.

Determining the Reliability of Critical Controls in Construction Projects

Across the global construction industry, fatalities continue to occur from high-risk activities, where the risk controls have been defined; however, these were unreliable. In the mining industry, Critical Control Risk Management has provided positive results in reducing major accidents, which raises the question, could the Critical Control approach reduce the fatality rate in the construction industry? This study analyzed 10 years of serious and fatal incident investigation reports from four international construction companies to (i) assess the reliability of their Critical Controls (CCs) and (ii) assess the factors that affect the reliability of CCs. The results show the reliability of CCs, measured by implementation and effectiveness, averaged just 42%. Insight into human performance and organizational factors, including risk identification, decision-making and competency, together with supervision, job planning and communication, were identified as opportunities to improve the reliability of CCs. The study used bowtie diagrams with real event data to find the actual CC reliability. This appears to be the first published study that reports on the reliability of critical risk controls in construction. It demonstrates a feasible method for determining and communicating control effectiveness that can be used to deliver meaningful insights to industry practitioners on actual control performance and focus areas for improvement. In addition, actionable findings directly related to individual CCs can be derived that enable the participating organization to focus resources on improving specific verification processes. The results confirm the applicability of CCs for the Major Accident Event hazards analyzed and highlights that further reviews are required on the factors that need to be considered when implementing a CC program. This paper details our methodology and results, to assist others applying CCs as a risk management tool.

Assessment of lifestyle of Post Graduate students and its effect on their health in Vidarbha region: a questionnaire study

INTRODUCTION: - Health is an aspect of life that is essentially one of the important factors in basic human performance. Health contributes to general well-being and overall lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle was measured by factors like diet, exercise, habits and sleep. The benefits of these are essential for enhancing healthy body as well as mental and physical fitness. It boosts the immune system, build confidence, reduce and relieve stress and improve learning & mental health [3]. Many people due to the stressful lifestyles, are prone to indulge into habits of smocking and consuming alcohol or chewing betel nut, which are detrimental to their lifestyle and eventually their performance at workplace. Sleep is another major aspect in a person’s health. College students have been found to be a population that does not get enough sleep. [4] Lack of sleeping results in a decreased student’s ability to perform during exams [5]. This study examined the perception of post graduate students from Dental College. The main purpose of this study is to explore the major lifestyle factors among college students and the influence on their health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: - The study was conducted among Dental postgraduate students of all specialties of Dentistry in Maharashtra. Approximately 250 students will be participating in the study, in an effort to examine their perception about a healthy lifestyle and its effect on their health. Information will be collected via a lifestyle questionnaire [2]. CONCLUSION:- We conclude from this study that a high percentage of the post graduates students in dental colleges are not aware about the results of unhealthy behavior, which may cause different health problems. Although few students are engaging towards modern healthy lifestyles

Investigating Language Factors in Aviation Accidents

Abstract. Linguistic and operational experts reviewed accident investigation reports covering a 22-year period (1990–2012) revealing that language factors impact aviation safety in a variety of ways, in contexts extending beyond pilot and air traffic controller communications. The investigation of possible language factors is not accorded the same degree of systematic and expert analysis as is given to the investigation of other human performance and operational factors.

From thinking fast to moving fast: motor control of fast limb movements in healthy individuals.

The ability to produce high movement speeds is a crucial factor in human motor performance, from the skilled athlete to someone avoiding a fall. Despite this relevance, there remains a lack of both an integrative brain-to-behavior analysis of these movements and applied studies linking the known dependence on open-loop, central control mechanisms of these movements to their real-world implications, whether in the sports, performance arts, or occupational setting. In this review, we cover factors associated with the planning and performance of fast limb movements, from the generation of the motor command in the brain to the observed motor output. At each level (supraspinal, peripheral, and motor output), the influencing factors are presented and the changes brought by training and fatigue are discussed. The existing evidence of more applied studies relevant to practical aspects of human performance is also discussed. Inconsistencies in the existing literature both in the definitions and findings are highlighted, along with suggestions for further studies on the topic of fast limb movement control. The current heterogeneity in what is considered a fast movement and in experimental protocols makes it difficult to compare findings in the existing literature. We identified the role of the cerebellum in movement prediction and of surround inhibition in motor slowing, as well as the effects of fatigue and training on central motor control, as possible avenues for further research, especially in performance-driven populations.

Implementing High-Reliability Organization Principles at Biological Diagnostic Laboratories: Case Study at National Institute of Health, Islamabad.

Healthcare organizations are complex systems where healthcare professionals, patients, biological materials, and equipment constantly interact and provide feedback with highly consequential outcomes. These are the characteristics of a complex adaptive system. Healthcare delivery requires coordination but it necessarily relies on delegation of essential functions. It is thus essential to have an engaged workforce to ensure optimal outcomes for patients. Thus human performance factors play a key role in ensuring both the presence of excellent healthcare provision and the absence of outcomes that must be avoided-"never events." The commitment of management was a precondition for the implementation of the high-reliability organization (HRO) principles. A team from middle management was engaged and provided with appropriate management tools for identifying, prioritizing, assessing, and applying solutions for the safety concern in their operating systems. This article documents efforts at the National Institute of Health (NIH) to adapt the principles of HROs to diagnostic laboratories and vaccine production facilities at its campus in Islamabad, Pakistan, and seeks to draw some lessons for how this approach can be usefully replicated in such facilities elsewhere. Public health institutes such as NIH deliver vital products and services that are inherently risky to produce, where the consequence of failure can be catastrophic. Adopting the HRO principles is an approach to improving not just safety, but also the overall organizational performance in any setting, including low-resource settings, and can serve as an implementable process for other institutions.

Development of risk factors taxonomy in ramp operations for corporate sustainability

PurposeThis research has the potential to contribute to the understanding of the sustainable ground handling operations framework. Ramp operations as the main system of ground handling include critical services for aircraft/airlines. The purpose of this study is to identify the risk factors in ramp operations for all related stakeholders’ awareness to enhance flight safety. Classifying risk factors, the four main performance fields under risk taxonomy is determined. Thus, managers may allocate resources effectively to handle related threats for corporate sustainability.Design/methodology/approachNew taxonomy with human performance value indicators, which sources from the environment is developed. New developed taxonomy is entitled as “environmental value approach,” which represents environmental value-based approach. The developed new risk factors taxonomy is divided into groups such as ramp personnel, organizational, sustainability-based risk factors: triple view and ergonomics obtained from an extensive literature review and experts’ opinions in the field of human performance.FindingsThe findings of this research show that managers need a risk management-oriented approach to manage the human factor affecting performance and sustainability. The newly developed taxonomy offers not only identifying the sources of unsafe operational risk factors but also using as a decision-support tool to manage risks for achieving their sustainability goals. When managerial decisions are made according to risk taxonomy and managing these risks, then corporate performance and individual performance may improve.Originality/valueThe new taxonomy presents the performance-based management of the human factor with a holistic and systematic risk management-based approach. There is no risk taxonomy study designed considering ramp operations and sustainability-based human factor performance.