Laerte Idal Sznelwar

R. Ação Ergon., vol.18, n2, e202404, 2024

The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing problems in Latin America and posed unprecedented challenges for Latin American universities (LAU). These challenges can be characterised as complex problems that cannot be understood through reductionist approaches. This paper aims (i) to provide a complex system perspective of the challenges confronting LAUs and (ii) to propose guidelines for managers of LAUs to address them in practice. A multidisciplinary group was formed and conducted an iterative process of research, brainstorming and debate of potential solutions to the following problems considered particularly important by their universities: mental health issues in the university environment, student learning gaps, brain drain, and anti-science movements. Complexity theory and E/HF concepts are integrated to demonstrate that understanding what LAUs are experiencing in a fragmented manner is impossible, and that the interactions between the challenges should be at the centre of the managers’ actions plans. Practitioner summary: Managers of LAUs can benefit from the guidelines proposed to understand the pressing challenges confronting universities and develop systemic approaches to address them.

Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics International

Resumo O transporte de pacientes por ambulância é parte dos serviços oferecidos pelo hospital e sua importância está na facilitação da conexão entre os institutos envolvidos no cuidado do paciente. No entanto, quantidade significativa de reclamações a respeito da irritabilidade e agressividade dos motoristas foi registrada após reestruturação organizacional que afetou diretamente este grupo de profissionais. O objetivo deste estudo foi fazer um levantamento das questões de saúde dos motoristas de ambulância deste hospital, a partir da reorganização do trabalho, por meio de uma análise ergonômica do trabalho. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de observação da situação de trabalho e entrevistas com gerentes, líderes e motoristas do setor de transporte do hospital. Os principais resultados foram: 1) o principal indicador de desempenho é o tempo,que desconsidera as imprevisibilidades que ocorrem nos trajetos; 2) o trabalho prescrito dos motoristas só considera a tarefa de dirigir a ambulância, mas o trabalho real engloba o cuidado e atenção às necessidades do paciente e de outros profissionais; 3) com a reestruturação e centralização do setor, os motoristas deixaram de se sentir parte do time de profissionais de saúde e passaram a se sentir como um “serviço compartilhado”.

Background: Complexity theory (CT) has been used in response to the need for a different mindset than the classical engineering paradigm. The engineering education research (EER) community may benefit from the knowledge of how CT has been used in the field.Purpose: Aiming to provide a broad view of CT in EER, the following research questions guided the study: How has CT been applied in EER, and how does it contribute to addressing the challenges of classical engineering education? What are the different complexity engineering approaches, and how can they be integrated into the context of EER?Method: A systematic literature review was conducted. The review process was divided into three stages: planning, conducting, and reporting. Fifty‐eight journal articles and five book chapters were submitted to an iterative process of organization, categorization, analysis, and synthesis.Results: Complexity schools of thought were integrated into EER. The research was organized into thematic categories: epistemological and ontological perspectives; complex thinking and competences; pedagogical approaches; complexity, sustainability, and transdisciplinarity interdependence; engineering axiology; and systemic transformation of engineering education. For each category, main contributions were integrated, and gaps were identified. Different meanings of complexity engineering were discussed and related to complexity schools of thought.Conclusions: Defining the type of complexity approach used is essential to advance knowledge, as there are fundamental epistemological, ontological, and methodological differences. Thematic categories help future researchers position theoretical contributions and be precise about how their findings contribute to understanding complexity applications in EER. Overcoming the limits of classical engineering requires a paradigmatic discussion, and CT proves valuable for this.

BACKGROUND: Work is a determinant of employee health, and the same conditions that contribute to an illness do not favour return to work; consequently, they hinder job retention, other employees can become ill and new leaves are generated. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the nursing technicians work in intensive and semi-intensive care units (ICUs and SICUs) and discuss the influence of organisational and relational factors on return to work and job retention. This study also discusses the contributions of activity ergonomics to these processes. METHOD: Qualitative case study based on ergonomic work analysis (EWA). Data were collected using documentary analyses, and global, systematic, and participant observations involving nursing technicians working in ICUs and SICUs. RESULTS: Task planning and the staff size adjustment to respond to the work demands of these units were ineffective in real-world situations and were aggravated by cases of absenteeism, medical leave, and employees returning to work. CONCLUSIONS: Work structure limits return to work and job retention. An EWA based on the activities developed by professionals is a valid tool for understanding working processes by applying transforming actions to real-world work situations.

O amplo pensamento de Edgar Morin compreende a possibilidade de pensar acomplexidade como um olhar que sirva para direcionar as ações no mundo. Nessa perspectiva, discute-se, inicialmente, as contribuições de Morin para as ciências do trabalho, particularmente para a Ergonomia Centrada na Atividade. Em seguida, amplia-se o debate sobre suas contribuições para a engenharia. Morin nos convida a pensar sobre os princípios e limites dos paradigmas sobre os quais tais campos de conhecimento e atuação são construídos. Ele nos oferece a oportunidade de incluir em nosso olhar a dialógica, a ordem e a desordem, as incertezas, as diferentes racionalidades, permitindo trazer ao debate questões fundamentais com relação à vida e à importância do sujeito na sociedade.