A comparative case analysis focusing on the use of a specialist knowledge base (ergonomics) in the product design and development function of six New Zealand organizations found that a considerable portion of the ergonomics knowledge used was internally generated. As a result of this finding, the conceptual emphasis of the study shifted away from a focus on the use of externally generated information to an examination of the processes by which an ergonomics capability emerged and developed within each organization. The definition of capability used in the study embraces both theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge.
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