Analysis of Enablers to Implement Ergonomic Interventions in Indian Manufacturing Industry: A Multi-criteria Decision-making Approach

Abstract

The implementation of ergonomics intervention practices is the need of time in a highly global competitive working environment for cutting down musculoskeletal health issues and improving the productivity of workers. Thus far, no research has developed practical methodological approaches and techniques to look into the dynamic nature of ergonomics intervention practices, specifically in the glass artware industry. Therefore, the objective of this article is to identify and prioritize the enablers to implement ergonomics intervention practices in Indian glass artware industries. Nineteen ergonomics intervention (EI) practices enablers were identified from the literature review and 16 were screened from identified enablers with the help of fuzzy Delphi method (FDM). The screened important enablers were then examined using a hybrid Interpretive Structural Modeling- Matrix Cross-Reference Multiplication Applied to a Classification-based framework. The interpretive structural modelling (ISM) methodology helps in evaluating contextual interactions among the enablers while classifying them based on their driving and dependence power. The results revealed that stringent legal requirements from the government, along with management support and commitment, are the main drivers and play a significant role over other enablers. Further, this study attempts to explore the critical enablers that are most prevalent for implementing EI practices. The results would be helpful for industries in implementing EI practices within their production systems by introducing and boosting the dominant enabler. This research offers key insight for practitioners, researchers and policy-makers by identifying interrelationships among the enablers.