ABSTRACT

This chapter reviews the difficulties associated with the transfer of research findings from industrially

advanced countries (IACs) into industrially developing countries (IDCs). The significant differences in

culture, religion, environment, health, working conditions, and economics, confound the application

of many of the ergonomics principles directly into IDCs. The majority of workplaces remain in IDCs

agricultural industry with 71% estimated to be living a subsistence lifestyle (O’Neill, 2000). Ergonomic

challenges associated with the transfer of technology into IDCs reflects the requirement to address

macroergonomics issues in understanding the needs within the recipient community, rather than just

focusing on the microergonomic aspects relating to human-interface design issues.