Ergonomics/human factors and the future of work: A global systems perspective.

Journal: Applied ergonomics
Published Date: Oct 24, 2025

Abstract

In a webinar series hosted by the International Ergonomics Association, the Future of Work Committee of the International Ergonomics Association gathered inputs about the future of work from ergonomics/human factors (E/HF) experts representing different regions around the world. Through these insights, four global megatrends relevant to E/HF driving the future of work were identified: labour-market supply; work informality; technology; and climate change. Next, we applied an E/HF systems approach, using causal loop diagrams, to explore the unfolding interrelationships between these megatrends at a global level and with a national level example to determine what novel insights can be uncovered using systems analysis. We demonstrate the power of E/HF systems thinking that can enable national E/HF societies and regional think-tanks to move beyond a siloed approach to megatrends. We conclude with some high-level suggestions for E/HF to consider in order to meet the future of work challenges.

Authors

  • Andrew Thatcher
    Psychology Department, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, WITS, 2050, South Africa. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Augustine Appah Acquah
    Department of Physiotherapy, P. O. Box KB 143, Korle Bu Campus, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Agnès Aublet-Cuvelier
    Studies and Research, INRS, 1 rue du Morvan, CS 60027, Vandoeuvre cedex, 54519, France. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Rob Becker
    Principal Human Factors Consultant, User Centric Design, Hampshire, Basingstoke, RG23 8NG, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Tim Bentley
    the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Centre, School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Maria Elena Boatca
    Faculty of Management in Production and Transportation, Politehnica University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Daniel Braatz
    Department of Production Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Hong-In Cheng
    Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Kyungsung University, Busan, South Korea. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Fabien Coutarel
    ACTé Laboratory - Clermont Auvergne University, 36 av Jean-Jaurès CS 20001, Chamalières Cedex, 63407, France. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Somnath Gangopadhyay
    Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, Kolkota, India. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Nicola Green
    School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Massey University, New Zealand. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Nigel Heaton
    Human Applications, Leicestershire, Loughborough, LE11 1RG, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Hongwei Hsiao
    Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1000 Frederick Lane Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
  • Liang Ma
    College of Information and Management, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
  • Masaaki Mochimaru
    Human Augmentation Research Center, The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Kashiwa II Campus, University of Tokyo, 6-2-3 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Beata Mrugalska
    Faculty of Engineering Management, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland. [email protected].
  • Verena Nitsch
    Human Factors Institute, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Werner-Heisenberg-Weg 39, 85577 Neubiberg, Germany.
  • Paulo Antonio Barros Oliveira
    Faculty of Medicine/Production Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Taezoon Park
    Department of Industrial & Information Systems Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Arto Reiman
    Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, PO Box 8000, 90014, Finland. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Yordán Rodriguez
    National School of Public Health, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Gary Roth
    Office of Performance, Planning and Evaluation, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
  • Urmi Ravindra Salve
    Department of Design, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Rosemary Seva
    Department of Industrial Engineering, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Anita Tisch
    Department of Social Policy and Social Security Studies, University of Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Zum Steimelsberg 7, 53773, Hennef, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Andrew Todd
    Department of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, Upper African Street, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6139, South Africa. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Yaniel Torres
    National School of Public Health, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Yoshiko Yagi
    Itoki Corporation, Nihonbashi Takashimaya Mitsui Building, 2-5-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Shanqing Yin
    Human Factors & Systems Design at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singhealth, Singapore. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • Wei Zhang
    The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.

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