Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter XVI
End User Computing
Ergonomics:
Facts or Fads?
Carol Clark
Middle Tennessee State University, USA
abstraCt
Until recent years, the end user computing ergonomic focus has primarily been on stationary computer
use. A new trend for the end user is mobile computing. An increasing number of end users are working
outside of the traditional office. Mobile computing devices allow for these workers to perform job func-
tions while in the field, at home, or while traveling. The organizational and end user benefits abound
for the use of such enabling technology. However, the mobile computing environment introduces a new
area of ergonomic concerns. Are businesses and end users monitoring the use of these devices from
an ergonomic perspective? The good news is the outcome can be influenced and/or determined with
intentional efforts on the part of both end users and managers. This paper includes an in depth review
of the current and emerging issues, especially the mobile end user environment, that is important to the
end user, manager, and organization as a whole. It also provides end user ergonomic suggestions and
resources and addresses the management challenges rising from ergonomic issues.
introduCtion
However, any perception that computer ergonom-
ics is yesterday's news overlooks two important
computer use trends: expanding variety of use,
especially as related to mobile computing and
alternative office arrangements, and extended
volume of use. These trends suggest that IT
managers can expect a resurgence in ergonomic
related challenges in the near future.
A casual perusal of the current information tech-
nology (IT) literature supports the notion that
interest in computing ergonomics is relatively low.
Design improvements and technological advances
have helped to reduce and even eliminate many
of the early computing ergonomic problems.
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