Human Factors in Industrial Systems: 40 Years On

OBJECTIVE I evaluate the contribution of a pioneering Human Factors special issue on human factors in industrial systems. BACKGROUND Papers on the content of the journal's first 10 years showed that industrial human factors/ergonomics (HF/E) in 1969 was quite a rarity in the journal and the society. METHOD The 12 papers in the special issue are reviewed briefly and show a wide range of topics, including traditional industrial engineering, physical HF/E, and more mainstream applications of HF/E in this domain similar to those in military and aerospace domains. The evaluation is through citations, later journal content, society technical group membership, and specific influences of Harris's own paper in the issue. RESULTS The expected direct citation influence of this special issue was not found: Citation counts were in line with all papers in Human Factors. However, other journals have been founded in North America that serve industrial HF/E and provide an outlet for more papers per year than Human Factors. In addition, the industrial domain is well represented in the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Finally, Harris's paper has been influential in the specific area of HF/E in inspection. CONCLUSIONS Industrial HF/E is now more accepted within the HF/E community, although largely in the physical ergonomics subspecialty. APPLICATION There is now evidence of use of HF/E techniques more broadly in industry, including service as well manufacturing enterprises.