Biomechanical Modelling of Manual Material Handling Tasks: A Comprehensive Review

AbstractIn a developing country like India where industrial tasks are labour-intensive, involving Manual Material Handling (MMH) in many situations; workload measurement in terms of Newtonian anthropometry and physiological parameters is important to identify unduly heavy tasks, to evaluate traditional work methods, and to arrive at more efficient methods of work. In jobs which require prolonged manual labour like construction jobs, assessment of cardiovascular capacity may be used to determine a worker's level of fitness for work. To tackle the issues as mentioned, various approaches, such as biomechanical, physiological and physical evaluations may be used for proper quantification and minimization of risks of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) associated with different types of material handling tasks in order to reduce fatigue and physical stress. Among all evaluations, biomechanical evaluation deals with the study of the physical interaction of workers with their tools, machines, and materials so as to enhance the worker's performance while minimizing the risk of MSDs. In this context, studies of various biomechanical models (static and dynamic) are required to be studied. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the concepts of static and dynamic models as applicable for MMH task is presented. Starting with various types of static and dynamic models, the issues on occupational risk assessment related to various manual handling tasks are discussed progressively. The distinctiveness of the models are highlighted. Finally, based on the critical appraisal of the existing approaches, future research directions on various models of biomechanical evaluation are delineated

Ergonomic Analysis of Construction Jobs in India: A Biomechanical Modelling Approach

AbstractThis paper discusses the details of a study undertaken for biomechanical evaluation of a number of Manual Material Handling (MMH) tasks being carried out at a construction site in India. A comprehensive methodology involving a two dimensional dynamic biomechanical evaluation approach is developed for such construction MMH tasks involving carrying and lifting of materials like normal and Reinforcement Concrete Cement (RCC) bricks and heavy jack pipes with prevailing occupational risk factors. Data were collected through direct observations with videography at the construction site. The methodology consists of static and dynamic biomechanical modelling, assessment of different risk factors and identification of preventive and remedial measures to minimize or eliminate their effects. A motion analysis system called Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS) was used for the workcycles of each task to determine linear and angular acceleration for body joints and segments considered along all the three coordinates using a large number frames for each workcycle. The biomechanical evaluation shows that the compressive forces at L5/S1 disc are beyond the threshold value of 3.4 KN for the construction workers carrying out such tasks. Results also indicate that there is a need for ergonomic performance improvement for such MMH tasks by the identified preventive and corrective measure

A study on the sustainable financial inclusion in selected SAARC countries: a gender-based perspective

Financial inclusion (FI) plays a vital role in improving socio-economic conditions of households. Despite of the penetration of the FI worldwide, inequality and inequity still persists, particularly in lower income countries like South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). In order to enhance the participation of women, there is a critical need to examine the trend in awareness of FI gender-wise and to understand the initiatives taken by regulators in SAARC countries. Secondary data is used to measure the significant difference in the level of FI among elected SAARC nations using descriptive analytics. The results reveals gender inequality in digital payment and increasing trend in borrowing from non-financial institution. The policy implications are further suggested in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Lean Six Sigma in healthcare: a systematic literature review on motivations and benefits

While Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been applied extensively in healthcare organisations, there has been limited research on the trends of LSS application in healthcare in recent years. This paper aims to present the key motivations and benefits of LSS in healthcare with a view to highlighting the types of problems that LSS in healthcare can aid in solving. The authors used a systematic literature review (SLR) approach to achieving the article’s purpose. Peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2011 and 2021 are considered to achieve the study objectives. The systematic review helped the authors to identify the evolution, benefits, and motivations for LSS in healthcare. This work includes directions for managers and healthcare professionals in healthcare organisations to embark on a focused LSS journey aligned with the strategic objectives. This study is perhaps one of the most comprehensive SLRs covering a vital agenda of LSS in healthcare. This study provides all the deliverables of LSS for its successful deployment in healthcare

Lean Six Sigma in healthcare: a systematic literature review on challenges, organisational readiness and critical success factors

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been applied in many healthcare organisations, but there has been limited research on the evolution of LSS application in healthcare. This paper aims to present the challenges, critical success factors (CSFs), readiness factors and most common tools and techniques used for LSS deployment in healthcare. A systematic literature review (SLR) was utilised to research the study objectives. Peer-reviewed literature over a 16-year period was studied to understand the deliverables of LSS. The SLR process identified relevant articles and screened a final selection for those under study. The systematic literature review helped the authors to identify the challenges and tools/techniques used for LSS in healthcare. Several CSFs and readiness factors for LSS deployment in healthcare are also presented. This work informs healthcare managers and professionals on the important factors for successful LSS deployment before embarking on the LSS journey. In addition, this work is a valuable resource for healthcare LSS practitioners and academic researchers to learn about, investigate and deploy LSS in the healthcare sector. This study is one of the most comprehensive SLRs covering the importance and specificity of understanding challenges, CSFs and organisational readiness for LSS in healthcare. This study provides knowledge of the successful deployment of LSS in healthcare

The impact of COVID-19 on tourism sector in India

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which is one of its kind of humanitarian disasters, has affected people and businesses worldwide, triggering a global economic crisis. In this aspect, the tourism sector is not being left behind. The pandemic has not only affected the foreign exchange earnings (FEE) but also affected various regional developments, job opportunities, thereby disrupting the local communities as a whole. As there has been a substantial decline in the arrivals of overseas tourists in India in 2020, the paper aims to predict foreign tourists’ arrival in India and FEE using artificial neural networks (ANN). Furthermore, we analyse the impact of COVID-19 based on four scenarios considering with and without lockdown in terms of loss and gain in FEE. Lastly, the results obtained will help policymakers make necessary strategic and operational decisions, along with maximizing the FEE

Insights on Italian and Indian health care systems from VSA perspective

Purpose – Health is considered to be an integral part of the socio-economic development of a country. The purpose of the paper is to analyze potential contribution, criticalities and conditions of success of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as a strategy to face the complexity of nationally relevant Italian-Indian service systems. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is built upon the basis of the Viable Systems Approach (VSA) as integrated with the fundamental interpretative elements of Service Science (SS) and Service-Dominant Logic (SDL) to contextualize interpretation to the management of service systems. Findings –PPPs appear to be an interesting solution when resources are scarce leading to a positive conclusion. Practical implications – From theoretical perspective, the study contributes to the scholarly understanding of complex health care system in Italy and India. It also suggests a generic framework for VSA as applicable. Also from practical perspective, the study stimulates managers to a critical reflection about current health care management approaches. Originality/value – The paper proposes a new approach to the study of health care, capable of highlighting relevant aspects of the system’s dynamics, shifting focus from its structural, objective description to its systems, subjective interpretation. The paper also discusses decision making challenges, such as the equality in the populations’ access to health service, suggesting managers to leverage on creating conditions of consonance among the diverse stakeholder for a successful health care PPPs

Health care as a worldwide concern. Insights on the Italian and Indian health care systems and PPPs from a VSA perspective

Purpose – Health is a fundamental populations’ need and an integral part of the socio-economic development of a country. However, it is required to explain the growing role of the private sectors in addressing various health care needs. The purpose of this paper is to analyse potential contribution, criticalities and conditions of success of public-private partnership (PPP) as a strategy to face the complexity of nationally relevant Italian and Indian service systems. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is built upon the basis of the viable systems approach (VSA) integrated with the fundamental interpretative elements of service science and service-dominant logic to contextualize interpretation to the management of service systems benefitting from recent advances in these research fields. Findings – A VSA-based general framework of reference is built that is useful for analysing any relational context in which different aims and expectations need to be harmonized to make the collaboration effective. On the basis of this framework, first insights on Italian and Indian health care PPPs are proposed, highlighting key elements of analysis and criticalities that may challenge a positive conclusion on health care PPPs. Practical implications – The implications of the study are both theoretical and practical. From a theoretical perspective, the study contributes to the scholarly understanding of complex health care system in Italy as well as in India with particular reference to the public-private collaboration phenomenon. It also suggests theoretical approaches in the form of a generic VSA-based framework as applicable. From a practical perspective, the study stimulates managers to a critical reflection about current health care management approaches which are reflected in the adoption of PPPs solutions. Originality/value – The paper discusses relevant worldwide decision-making challenges, such as the equality in the populations’ access to health service, suggesting managers the way to create conditions of consonance among the diverse stakeholders for a successful health care PPPs