Work Design in the 21 st Century - Panel Summary

Abstract

This summary outlines major themes introduced during a multiple-session symposium series devoted to the topic of work design in the 21^st century. The 6 sessions in the series address the future of work design in relation to: (1) macroergonomic analysis of work systems design; (2) production systems design and automation of work; (3) human factors research needs in internet design; (4) design of education and training; (5) work design and community design; and (6) work in extreme environments. Session chairs participated in a 7^th panel session to offer perspectives on the future of work design in relation to session topics. These perspectives are summarized here. The panel co-chair, Michael Wade, also provides a perspective on future trends in the integration of work and recreation. Collectively, the session and panel participants provide a rich body of judgment and opinion regarding the trajectory and evolution of work design in the coming decades, as well as likely reciprocal interactions between changes in work design and transformations in performance of human sociotechnical, organizational and socioeconomic systems.