Author: Ralph J. Stephenson
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 9780471107163
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 462
Book Description
It is no secret that problems in the construction industry canquickly escalate into full-fledged conflicts; adversarial positionstaken by the various parties involved in a project routinely leadto disrupted schedules and costly litigation. It doesn't have to bethat way. Project Partnering for the Design and Construction Industryprovides powerful tools for improving working relationships amongcontractors, designers, clients, and suppliers. Speaking directlyto the construction professional, author Ralph J. Stephensondemonstrates numerous ways to avoid conflict and ensure successful,on-time project deliveries by promoting teamwork, establishingnoncontract ground rules for ethical and responsible behavior, andemploying a variety of conflict-resolution techniques. This thoroughly practical handbook describes all the steps,procedures, and guidelines you need to make project partnering workfor you. You'll discover how to identify possible sources ofconflict before the work begins and learn to plan and write aproject partnering charter. You'll develop the ability to identifycommonly encountered problem-types and avoid miscommunications anddisputes that may arise from incompatible personalities andmanagement styles. Using real-world case studies, examples, and his own personalobservations, the author examines construction projects of allsizes and types, from inception and design through completion andbeyond. He offers a historical overview of the constructionindustry, comments on its nature as a business, analyzes itsvarious components, and offers helpful tips on management methodsfor specific projects and organizational structures. This comprehensive and enthusiastic book demonstrates how effectiveproject partnering fosters competent, high-quality work throughoutthe entire life cycle of a project. It also enables constructionprofessionals to make each project more profitable and lessstressful, while finding renewed job satisfaction in a revitalizedworking environment How to manage construction projects on time, within budget--andwithout major conflicts . . . To many contractors, architects, design engineers, and suppliers, aconflict-free construction project may seem like an impossibledream. Not so. Project Partnering for the Design and ConstructionIndustry provides step-by-step instructions on how to conduct ahigh-quality, on-time, profitable construction project, whileavoiding strife, adversarial behavior, or debilitating legalaction. Written in plain English and spiced with humor, this enormouslyuseful guide: * Examines all practical methods and procedures needed to createsuccessful partnering systems for a wide range of projects * Shows how project partnering dispute resolution techniques candefuse problems and disagreements quickly and inexpensively beforethey get out of hand * Describes a variety of preventative measures to help containliability and reduce time spent on nonconstruction activities * Helps establish productive relationships among all participantsin a construction project, including designers, contractors,clients, and suppliers * Provides numerous case studies where project partnering has beenapplied successfully, as well as real-world examples, charts,illustrations, and actual partnering charters * Offers alternative dispute resolution techniques for situationswhere project partnering is inappropriate * Discusses background, history, and the general organizationalstructure of the construction industry For contractors, engineers, architects, subcontractors, suppliersand owners, and anyone involved in the decision-making process onconstruction projects, this book provides the key to undertakingprojects with confidence and building a solid reputation in themarketplace.
Project Partnering for the Design and Construction Industry
Author: Ralph J. Stephenson
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 9780471107163
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 462
Book Description
It is no secret that problems in the construction industry canquickly escalate into full-fledged conflicts; adversarial positionstaken by the various parties involved in a project routinely leadto disrupted schedules and costly litigation. It doesn't have to bethat way. Project Partnering for the Design and Construction Industryprovides powerful tools for improving working relationships amongcontractors, designers, clients, and suppliers. Speaking directlyto the construction professional, author Ralph J. Stephensondemonstrates numerous ways to avoid conflict and ensure successful,on-time project deliveries by promoting teamwork, establishingnoncontract ground rules for ethical and responsible behavior, andemploying a variety of conflict-resolution techniques. This thoroughly practical handbook describes all the steps,procedures, and guidelines you need to make project partnering workfor you. You'll discover how to identify possible sources ofconflict before the work begins and learn to plan and write aproject partnering charter. You'll develop the ability to identifycommonly encountered problem-types and avoid miscommunications anddisputes that may arise from incompatible personalities andmanagement styles. Using real-world case studies, examples, and his own personalobservations, the author examines construction projects of allsizes and types, from inception and design through completion andbeyond. He offers a historical overview of the constructionindustry, comments on its nature as a business, analyzes itsvarious components, and offers helpful tips on management methodsfor specific projects and organizational structures. This comprehensive and enthusiastic book demonstrates how effectiveproject partnering fosters competent, high-quality work throughoutthe entire life cycle of a project. It also enables constructionprofessionals to make each project more profitable and lessstressful, while finding renewed job satisfaction in a revitalizedworking environment How to manage construction projects on time, within budget--andwithout major conflicts . . . To many contractors, architects, design engineers, and suppliers, aconflict-free construction project may seem like an impossibledream. Not so. Project Partnering for the Design and ConstructionIndustry provides step-by-step instructions on how to conduct ahigh-quality, on-time, profitable construction project, whileavoiding strife, adversarial behavior, or debilitating legalaction. Written in plain English and spiced with humor, this enormouslyuseful guide: * Examines all practical methods and procedures needed to createsuccessful partnering systems for a wide range of projects * Shows how project partnering dispute resolution techniques candefuse problems and disagreements quickly and inexpensively beforethey get out of hand * Describes a variety of preventative measures to help containliability and reduce time spent on nonconstruction activities * Helps establish productive relationships among all participantsin a construction project, including designers, contractors,clients, and suppliers * Provides numerous case studies where project partnering has beenapplied successfully, as well as real-world examples, charts,illustrations, and actual partnering charters * Offers alternative dispute resolution techniques for situationswhere project partnering is inappropriate * Discusses background, history, and the general organizationalstructure of the construction industry For contractors, engineers, architects, subcontractors, suppliersand owners, and anyone involved in the decision-making process onconstruction projects, this book provides the key to undertakingprojects with confidence and building a solid reputation in themarketplace.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 9780471107163
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 462
Book Description
It is no secret that problems in the construction industry canquickly escalate into full-fledged conflicts; adversarial positionstaken by the various parties involved in a project routinely leadto disrupted schedules and costly litigation. It doesn't have to bethat way. Project Partnering for the Design and Construction Industryprovides powerful tools for improving working relationships amongcontractors, designers, clients, and suppliers. Speaking directlyto the construction professional, author Ralph J. Stephensondemonstrates numerous ways to avoid conflict and ensure successful,on-time project deliveries by promoting teamwork, establishingnoncontract ground rules for ethical and responsible behavior, andemploying a variety of conflict-resolution techniques. This thoroughly practical handbook describes all the steps,procedures, and guidelines you need to make project partnering workfor you. You'll discover how to identify possible sources ofconflict before the work begins and learn to plan and write aproject partnering charter. You'll develop the ability to identifycommonly encountered problem-types and avoid miscommunications anddisputes that may arise from incompatible personalities andmanagement styles. Using real-world case studies, examples, and his own personalobservations, the author examines construction projects of allsizes and types, from inception and design through completion andbeyond. He offers a historical overview of the constructionindustry, comments on its nature as a business, analyzes itsvarious components, and offers helpful tips on management methodsfor specific projects and organizational structures. This comprehensive and enthusiastic book demonstrates how effectiveproject partnering fosters competent, high-quality work throughoutthe entire life cycle of a project. It also enables constructionprofessionals to make each project more profitable and lessstressful, while finding renewed job satisfaction in a revitalizedworking environment How to manage construction projects on time, within budget--andwithout major conflicts . . . To many contractors, architects, design engineers, and suppliers, aconflict-free construction project may seem like an impossibledream. Not so. Project Partnering for the Design and ConstructionIndustry provides step-by-step instructions on how to conduct ahigh-quality, on-time, profitable construction project, whileavoiding strife, adversarial behavior, or debilitating legalaction. Written in plain English and spiced with humor, this enormouslyuseful guide: * Examines all practical methods and procedures needed to createsuccessful partnering systems for a wide range of projects * Shows how project partnering dispute resolution techniques candefuse problems and disagreements quickly and inexpensively beforethey get out of hand * Describes a variety of preventative measures to help containliability and reduce time spent on nonconstruction activities * Helps establish productive relationships among all participantsin a construction project, including designers, contractors,clients, and suppliers * Provides numerous case studies where project partnering has beenapplied successfully, as well as real-world examples, charts,illustrations, and actual partnering charters * Offers alternative dispute resolution techniques for situationswhere project partnering is inappropriate * Discusses background, history, and the general organizationalstructure of the construction industry For contractors, engineers, architects, subcontractors, suppliersand owners, and anyone involved in the decision-making process onconstruction projects, this book provides the key to undertakingprojects with confidence and building a solid reputation in themarketplace.
Partnering in the Construction Industry
Author: John Bennett
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136374760
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 286
Book Description
Partnering is the most effective way of tackling construction projects. This book explains how clients and construction firms using partnering can achieve ever higher levels of efficiency and certainty to provide world class buildings and infrastructure of all kinds. Detailed guidance about the actions that clients and professionals new to partnering need to take is given followed by advice about the actions individual firms can take to get the maximum benefits from partnering. Finally the book describes how highly developed forms of partnering are developing into strategic collaborative working that turns construction into a genuinely modern industry able to meet all customers’ needs. The book is designed to be used flexibly by a variety of readers, with coloured sections and executive summaries built into the body of the text to enable senior managers to get a quick overview of the guidance provided. The detailed guidance provides those at the workface with the ammunition needed to cooperate with those around them in doing their best work. The guidance is supported by check lists that help ensure everyone involved knows what they need to do to match and then exceed today’s best practice. Construction clients will learn how to get high quality, reliable and fast completion and a firm price that represents best value for money. This book helps everyone in the construction industry be fairly rewarded for delivering best practice. The expert guidance also gives the construction industry the time and resources needed to give proper attention to all aspects of quality including sustainability and total life cycle costs. to match and then exceed today’s best practice.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136374760
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 286
Book Description
Partnering is the most effective way of tackling construction projects. This book explains how clients and construction firms using partnering can achieve ever higher levels of efficiency and certainty to provide world class buildings and infrastructure of all kinds. Detailed guidance about the actions that clients and professionals new to partnering need to take is given followed by advice about the actions individual firms can take to get the maximum benefits from partnering. Finally the book describes how highly developed forms of partnering are developing into strategic collaborative working that turns construction into a genuinely modern industry able to meet all customers’ needs. The book is designed to be used flexibly by a variety of readers, with coloured sections and executive summaries built into the body of the text to enable senior managers to get a quick overview of the guidance provided. The detailed guidance provides those at the workface with the ammunition needed to cooperate with those around them in doing their best work. The guidance is supported by check lists that help ensure everyone involved knows what they need to do to match and then exceed today’s best practice. Construction clients will learn how to get high quality, reliable and fast completion and a firm price that represents best value for money. This book helps everyone in the construction industry be fairly rewarded for delivering best practice. The expert guidance also gives the construction industry the time and resources needed to give proper attention to all aspects of quality including sustainability and total life cycle costs. to match and then exceed today’s best practice.
Project Partnering
Author: R. Baden Hellard
Publisher: Thomas Telford
ISBN: 9780727720436
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 226
Book Description
"Partnering" is a construction procurement method which aims to eliminate adversarial relations by removing the traditional barriers between client and contractor. This book is suitable for all involved in the commissioning of construction projects.
Publisher: Thomas Telford
ISBN: 9780727720436
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 226
Book Description
"Partnering" is a construction procurement method which aims to eliminate adversarial relations by removing the traditional barriers between client and contractor. This book is suitable for all involved in the commissioning of construction projects.
Early Contractor Involvement in Building Procurement
Author: David Mosey
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 9781444309874
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 328
Book Description
Can contractors and specialists add value to a project by theirearly involvement in design, pricing, risk management andprogramming? How can this be structured and what role docontracts have to play? What is the impact on procurement andproject management? Commentators from Banwell to Egan have recommended earliercontractor appointments, and this has also been linked tosuccessful project partnering. How are the two related? Early Contractor Involvement in Building Procurementconsiders the case for a two stage procurement approach based on asystem of agreed project processes during the preconstructionphase. It examines the ways in which a contract can describeand support this model throughout its procurement, partnering andproject management, and is illustrated with case studies taken fromprojects and programmes across the construction and engineeringindustry. The roles of the various parties involved, the obstacles theyencounter and the benefits they can achieve are examined indetail. There is practical guidance on how to improve speed,economy, sustainability, change control, dispute avoidance, andclient satisfaction. This book bridges the gap betweencontract law, partnering and project management and will beessential reading for middle and senior management at constructioncontractors, consultants and clients in both the public and privatesectors.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 9781444309874
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 328
Book Description
Can contractors and specialists add value to a project by theirearly involvement in design, pricing, risk management andprogramming? How can this be structured and what role docontracts have to play? What is the impact on procurement andproject management? Commentators from Banwell to Egan have recommended earliercontractor appointments, and this has also been linked tosuccessful project partnering. How are the two related? Early Contractor Involvement in Building Procurementconsiders the case for a two stage procurement approach based on asystem of agreed project processes during the preconstructionphase. It examines the ways in which a contract can describeand support this model throughout its procurement, partnering andproject management, and is illustrated with case studies taken fromprojects and programmes across the construction and engineeringindustry. The roles of the various parties involved, the obstacles theyencounter and the benefits they can achieve are examined indetail. There is practical guidance on how to improve speed,economy, sustainability, change control, dispute avoidance, andclient satisfaction. This book bridges the gap betweencontract law, partnering and project management and will beessential reading for middle and senior management at constructioncontractors, consultants and clients in both the public and privatesectors.
Partnering in Europe
Author: Bob Scott
Publisher: Thomas Telford
ISBN: 9780727729651
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 166
Book Description
This work focuses on the project-specific form of partnering known as alliancing, which is distinguished by a financial incentive scheme. This practical guide provides a tool-kit for creating a successful alliance.
Publisher: Thomas Telford
ISBN: 9780727729651
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 166
Book Description
This work focuses on the project-specific form of partnering known as alliancing, which is distinguished by a financial incentive scheme. This practical guide provides a tool-kit for creating a successful alliance.
Integrating Project Delivery
Author: Martin Fischer
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470587350
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 482
Book Description
A revolutionary, collaborative approach to design and construction project delivery Integrating Project Delivery is the first book-length discussion of IPD, the emergent project delivery method that draws on each stakeholder's unique knowledge to address problems before they occur. Written by authors with over a decade of research and practical experience, this book provides a primer on IPD for architects, designers, and students interested in this revolutionary approach to design and construction. With a focus on IPD in everyday operation, coverage includes a detailed explanation and analysis of IPD guidelines, and case studies that show how real companies are applying these guidelines on real-world projects. End-of-chapter questions help readers quickly review what they've learned, and the online forum allows them to share their insights and ideas with others who either have or are in the process of implementing IPD themselves. Integrating Project Delivery brings together the owners, architect, engineers, and contractors early in the development stage to ensure that problems are caught early, and to address them in a collaborative way. This book describes the parameters of this new, more efficient approach, with expert insight on real-world implementation. Compare traditional procurement with IPD Understand IPD guidelines, and how they're implemented Examine case studies that illustrate everyday applications Communicate with other IPD adherents in the online forum The IPD approach revolutionizes not only the workflow, but the relationships between the stakeholders – the atmosphere turns collaborative, and the team works together toward a shared goal instead of viewing one another as obstructions to progress. Integrated Project Delivery provides a deep exploration of this approach, with practical guidance and expert insight.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470587350
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 482
Book Description
A revolutionary, collaborative approach to design and construction project delivery Integrating Project Delivery is the first book-length discussion of IPD, the emergent project delivery method that draws on each stakeholder's unique knowledge to address problems before they occur. Written by authors with over a decade of research and practical experience, this book provides a primer on IPD for architects, designers, and students interested in this revolutionary approach to design and construction. With a focus on IPD in everyday operation, coverage includes a detailed explanation and analysis of IPD guidelines, and case studies that show how real companies are applying these guidelines on real-world projects. End-of-chapter questions help readers quickly review what they've learned, and the online forum allows them to share their insights and ideas with others who either have or are in the process of implementing IPD themselves. Integrating Project Delivery brings together the owners, architect, engineers, and contractors early in the development stage to ensure that problems are caught early, and to address them in a collaborative way. This book describes the parameters of this new, more efficient approach, with expert insight on real-world implementation. Compare traditional procurement with IPD Understand IPD guidelines, and how they're implemented Examine case studies that illustrate everyday applications Communicate with other IPD adherents in the online forum The IPD approach revolutionizes not only the workflow, but the relationships between the stakeholders – the atmosphere turns collaborative, and the team works together toward a shared goal instead of viewing one another as obstructions to progress. Integrated Project Delivery provides a deep exploration of this approach, with practical guidance and expert insight.
Relational Contracting for Construction Excellence
Author: Albert P Chan
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134036019
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 385
Book Description
Improved efficiency and effectiveness in the construction industry provide huge potential savings. Various forms of relational contracting such as partnering, alliancing, public private partnership (PPP), and joint venture are good examples of this. Relational Contracting for Construction Excellence presents the principles of relational contracting, practicalities and a series of short case studies. Principles begins with the fundamentals then covers development in major countries, definitions of relational contracting, their benefits, difficulties, critical success factors and key performance indicators. Practice includes the relational contracting approach and process in general, and significant factors which make workshops successful, at whatever stage of the process. A number of real-life case studies from the UK, USA, Australia, and Hong Kong are provided. Since the book draws on a combination of practical consultancy works and university research, a wide range of readers will find it useful, i.e. from industrial practitioners to undergraduate students.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134036019
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 385
Book Description
Improved efficiency and effectiveness in the construction industry provide huge potential savings. Various forms of relational contracting such as partnering, alliancing, public private partnership (PPP), and joint venture are good examples of this. Relational Contracting for Construction Excellence presents the principles of relational contracting, practicalities and a series of short case studies. Principles begins with the fundamentals then covers development in major countries, definitions of relational contracting, their benefits, difficulties, critical success factors and key performance indicators. Practice includes the relational contracting approach and process in general, and significant factors which make workshops successful, at whatever stage of the process. A number of real-life case studies from the UK, USA, Australia, and Hong Kong are provided. Since the book draws on a combination of practical consultancy works and university research, a wide range of readers will find it useful, i.e. from industrial practitioners to undergraduate students.
Procurement Strategies
Author: Derek Walker
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470680369
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 318
Book Description
Construction has been an industry characterised by disputes, fierce competitiveness and fragmentation - all major obstacles to development. Now, however, a relationship-based approach to project procurement, through partnering and alliancing, aims to bring about a fundamental change. This book addresses the critical relationship issues for a more collaborative and sustainable construction industry. It looks at how project procurement and project alliancing partner selection works, and how risk and crisis resolution are managed. It provides readers with guidance and models on how to put a relationship-based approach to procurement into practice, drawing on specific prototypes from an actual, successful project that can be adapted.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470680369
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 318
Book Description
Construction has been an industry characterised by disputes, fierce competitiveness and fragmentation - all major obstacles to development. Now, however, a relationship-based approach to project procurement, through partnering and alliancing, aims to bring about a fundamental change. This book addresses the critical relationship issues for a more collaborative and sustainable construction industry. It looks at how project procurement and project alliancing partner selection works, and how risk and crisis resolution are managed. It provides readers with guidance and models on how to put a relationship-based approach to procurement into practice, drawing on specific prototypes from an actual, successful project that can be adapted.
The Story of Managing Projects
Author: Young Hoon Kwak
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 0313095256
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 388
Book Description
Project management has been practiced for thousands of years, but only recently have organizations begun to apply systematic management tools and techniques to manage complex projects. Today's approaches to project management can be traced directly to methodologies designed by the U.S. military and Department of Defense in the years after World War II. Subsequent advances in management information systems have helped to codify project management practices; most recently, the Internet has dramatically enhanced the ability of individuals, teams, and organizations to manage projects across continents and cultures in real time. The Story of Managing Projects showcases cutting-edge research conducted around the world on emerging practices in project management. Covering an enormous spectrum of subjects and industries—from an upgrade of the Greek railway system to infrastructure reconstruction in Kuwait—the authors explore the full range of inter-personal, technical, and organizational dynamics of project management, contributing new insights to its theory and application.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 0313095256
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 388
Book Description
Project management has been practiced for thousands of years, but only recently have organizations begun to apply systematic management tools and techniques to manage complex projects. Today's approaches to project management can be traced directly to methodologies designed by the U.S. military and Department of Defense in the years after World War II. Subsequent advances in management information systems have helped to codify project management practices; most recently, the Internet has dramatically enhanced the ability of individuals, teams, and organizations to manage projects across continents and cultures in real time. The Story of Managing Projects showcases cutting-edge research conducted around the world on emerging practices in project management. Covering an enormous spectrum of subjects and industries—from an upgrade of the Greek railway system to infrastructure reconstruction in Kuwait—the authors explore the full range of inter-personal, technical, and organizational dynamics of project management, contributing new insights to its theory and application.
Human Factors in Organizational Design and Management-VI
Author: P. Vink
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 9780080434391
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 820
Book Description
This book contains a series of papers that were presented during the Sixth IEA International Symposium on Human Factors in Organizational Design and Management (ODAM '98). The Symposium was sponsored jointly by the International Ergonomics Society, the Dutch Ergonomics Society, NIA TNO and The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. These experiences include new ideas, research results, tools, and applications of human-organization interface technology to improving work systems. New technology, changing work force demographics, changing attitudes and values about work and what constitutes real quality of work life, have heightened the need for a true systems approach to optimizing the interfaces between humans, technology and organizational structures and processes. Growing world competition, and the related need to make organizations more productive and efficient, have further intensified this need to improve work systems. This need is reflected in the rapid development of macroergonomics methods and applications since the first of these ODAM Symposia in 1984. What then was recognized by only a few researchers and practitioners has now become a widely accepted part of the human factors/ergonomics discipline. As demonstrated by the papers contained herein, application of macroergonomics is having a very real positive impact on sociotechnical systems internationally. Included in this volume are a broad selection of papers on theory, methodology, tools, research findings, and case studies from leading professionals throughout the world. This volume thus provides the reader with some of the latest developments in human-organization interface technology. Collectively, these papers should provide the reader with a good conceptual understanding of the ergonomic approach to work system design, and of its tremendous potential for improving work systems and the human condition in all cultures.
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 9780080434391
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 820
Book Description
This book contains a series of papers that were presented during the Sixth IEA International Symposium on Human Factors in Organizational Design and Management (ODAM '98). The Symposium was sponsored jointly by the International Ergonomics Society, the Dutch Ergonomics Society, NIA TNO and The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. These experiences include new ideas, research results, tools, and applications of human-organization interface technology to improving work systems. New technology, changing work force demographics, changing attitudes and values about work and what constitutes real quality of work life, have heightened the need for a true systems approach to optimizing the interfaces between humans, technology and organizational structures and processes. Growing world competition, and the related need to make organizations more productive and efficient, have further intensified this need to improve work systems. This need is reflected in the rapid development of macroergonomics methods and applications since the first of these ODAM Symposia in 1984. What then was recognized by only a few researchers and practitioners has now become a widely accepted part of the human factors/ergonomics discipline. As demonstrated by the papers contained herein, application of macroergonomics is having a very real positive impact on sociotechnical systems internationally. Included in this volume are a broad selection of papers on theory, methodology, tools, research findings, and case studies from leading professionals throughout the world. This volume thus provides the reader with some of the latest developments in human-organization interface technology. Collectively, these papers should provide the reader with a good conceptual understanding of the ergonomic approach to work system design, and of its tremendous potential for improving work systems and the human condition in all cultures.