A multicriteria decision model to rank workstations in a footwear industry based on a FITradeoff-ranking method for ergonomics interventions

Lucas Miguel Alencar Correia (), Jonhatan Magno Norte Silva (), Wilza Karla Leite (), Ruan Eduardo Carneiro Lucas () and Geraldo Alves Colaço ()
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Lucas Miguel Alencar Correia: Federal University of Alagoas
Jonhatan Magno Norte Silva: Federal University of Alagoas
Wilza Karla Leite: Federal University of Paraíba
Ruan Eduardo Carneiro Lucas: Federal University of Santa Catarina
Geraldo Alves Colaço: Estácio de Sá School

Operational Research, 2022, vol. 22, issue 4, No 6, 3335-3371

Abstract: Abstract This study proposes a decision model to solve a workstation problem in the footwear industry by considering multiple conflicting objectives that influence the decision-making process. Following the appearance of employee reports of pain symptoms and due to limited resources and the need to protect health, companies strive to improve working conditions. Ranking workstations for ergonomics interventions may help if an appropriate decision is made through a well-structured decision-making process. Accordingly, the association of two Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs), Value Focused-thinking (VFT), and Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) were used to structure a hierarchy of key objectives for evaluating the decision model. Preference modeling with the Decision Maker was conducted in a flexible and interactive manner, aided by the Flexible and Interactive Tradeoff Method (FITradeoff). Partial information was gathered about the preferences of the Decision Maker that lead to finding a recommendation that less cognitive effort is required. Decision Maker answered 10 questions and the method found six levels of ordering, indicating FITradeoff method is effective for rank workstations for ergonomic interventions. It was concluded that the combination of the structuring methods VFT and SODA, and the multicriteria method FITradeoff facilitates ergonomic decision-making.

Keywords: Prioritizing workstation; Ergonomic interventions; FITradeoff; SODA; Value-focused thinking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s12351-021-00671-0

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