Making ‘Human Factors’ Truly Human: Cultural Considerations in Human Factors Research and Practice

Abstract

Traditionally, human factors research has been conducted in Western nations to answer the questions of Western practitioners. This approach was appropriate in the past and still works well in many situations. However, as the world of work is becoming more international it is important to consider how national differences affect human factors applications. We review recent issues of the Human Factors journal to see how cultural differences are being addressed in research. Five domains where important cultural difference may influence research findings are reviewed. These areas are physical design, visual displays, symbolic communication, information technology and managing complex processes. We present recommendations for incorporating greater cultural variation into Ergonomic and Human Factors work.