Innovative Approach to Identify the Readiness Factors to Realize Green Ergonomics in Sustainable Service Organizations

Abstract

The relationships between humans and the environment have recently been incorporated into ergonomics in an effort to broaden the discipline’s traditional scope. Green ergonomics is an emerging field of study that has discovered links between people’s well-being and a sense of connection to nature. The study aims to build a conceptual model to identify the readiness factors for green ergonomics in healthcare organizations, which are the primary focus point of the current study. To determine the readiness factors, a review of the literature and a survey of healthcare experts’ opinions were conducted. The healthcare professionals validated the identified readiness factors. Data for this study were gathered using a closed-ended questionnaire and scheduled interviews. The study employed total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) methodology and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis to address why and how the factors interact and prioritize the identified readiness factors. Ten green ergonomics readiness factors were identified in this study. Design principles (F4), green buildings (F1), ergoecology (F2), audit working practices/risk assessments (F3), and professional practice (F6) had strong driving power and weak dependence, thus being identified as key factors or driving factors for green ergonomics in healthcare organizations. Although the study primarily focused on the readiness factors for green ergonomics in healthcare organizations, the scope could eventually be expanded to explore more areas. Academics and other stakeholders will have a better understanding of the key drivers and the readiness factors for healthcare green ergonomics. In this study, the total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis for healthcare together are proposed as an innovative approach to address the green ergonomics concept.