Recognizing ergonomics variations: Human factors in technology transfer to Newly Industrializing Countries

The importance of recognizing human factors in technology transfer to Newly Industrializing Countries and identifying the increase in complexity of these factors as the human aspect crosses cultural, ethnic and national boundaries is becoming more evident. These considerations are proving to be major determining factors of the success of the technology transfer. This paper will cite examples and discuss such differences in anthropometrics, physiological aspects, cognitive characteristics, perception, work attitudes, training, and translation. These differences need to be identified not only abroad, but also in the U. S., as business with foreign nationals done locally increases. In other words, human factors in technology transfer should not be limited to developing countries, but should also be applied to operations in the U. S., as foreign nationals also need to be trained.