Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research

Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research

The Effect of Ergonomics on the Occupational Burnout, Stress, and Productivity of Agricultural Expert (The case of Kerman Province)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Latif Haji 1
hamid karimi 2
Naser Valizadeh 3
1 Ph.D. Student, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.
3 Ph.D., Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
10.22059/ijaedr.2021.327963.669068
Abstract
Regarding the crucial role of human resources in any organization, addressing issues that lead to reducing occupational injuries and increasing their productivity in the workplace is of great significance. However, primary studies show that little research has been done in this area. In this regard, investigating the effect of employing workplace ergonomic principles on occupational productivity of experts through the mediating role of occupational stress and burnout in Kerman Agricultural Jihad Organization was determined as the aim of present study. Present research is an applied and causal-correlational study that was carried out using a cross-sectional survey and structural equation modeling. The statistical population of the study was the experts of Kerman Agricultural Jihad Organization (N=1418). The sample size was estimated to be 306 cases using Krejcie and Morgan sampling table. The samples were selected by stratified random sampling approach. The data gathering instrument was a questionnaire whose face and content validities were confirmed by a panel of experts. The reliability of instrument was achieved using Cronbach's alpha coefficients and composite reliability indices. Structural equation modeling findings demonstrated that the direct effect of ergonomic principles on productivity was positive and significant. The direct effects of ergonomic principles on occupational stress and burnout were negative and significant. Furthermore, the direct effects of occupational stress and burnout on productivity were negative and significant. The direct effect of occupational stress on burnout was positive and significant and the indirect effect of ergonomic principles on productivity was significant, as well. Finally, the findings revealed that three independent variables (ergonomic principles in the workplace, occupational stress, and burnout) could account for 61% of the variance in productivity of experts in Kerman Agricultural Jihad Organization.
Keywords
Ergonomics
Occupational Stress
Occupational Burnout
Employees Productivity
Kerman Province
  1. Aghahi, R.H., Darabi, R., & Hashemipour, M.A. (2018). Neck, back, and shoulder pains and ergonomic factors among dental students. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 7, 40-52.‏
  2. Agricultural Jihad Organization of Khuzestan Province. (2017). Ergonomics (human factor engineering). Unpublished report. (In Farsi).
  3. Ahsan, N., Abdullah, Z., Fie, D.Y.G., & Alam, S.S. (2009). A study of job stress on job satisfaction among university staff in Malaysia: Empirical study. European Journal of Social Sciences,8(1), 121-131.‏
  4. Allahyari, M.S., Mohammadzadeh, M., & Nastis, S.A. (2016). Agricultural experts’ attitude towards precision agriculture: evidence from Guilan Agricultural Organization, Northern Iran. Information Processing in Agriculture,3(3), 183-189.‏
  5. Aziz, R.A., Nadzar, F.M., Husaini, H., Maarof, A., Radzi, S.M., & Ismail, I. (2011). Quality of work life of librarians in government academic libraries in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. The International Information & Library Review,43(3), 149-158.‏
  6. Babaei, S., & Rahimzadeh A. (2016). Investigating the role work place ergonomics on occupational burnout of employees. Third International Conference on Accounting and Management, Tehran, March 15, Pp, 1-9. (In Farsi).
  7. Babamiri, M., Zahari-Harsini, A., Tahmasebi, R., Morovvati, Z.A., Yousefi-Afrashteh, M., & Dehghani, Y. (2015). Investigating factors affecting occupational burnout among the staff of Kerman Regional Electric Cooperation. Journal of Ergonomics, 3(4), 39-48. (In Farsi).
  8. Baleshzar, A., Tabodi, M., & Rojhani-Shirazi, Z. (2019). The relationship between environmental and demographic factors with productivity of Islamic Azad University of Shiraz employees. Iranian Journal of Ergonomics, 7(2), 39-44. (In Farsi).
  9. Baradaran, V., & Valijani, M. (2016). A model to improve the labor productivity at Iranian tax organization (A case study of the Eastern Tehran general tax directorate). Journal of Tax Research, 29(77), 185-203. (In Farsi).
  10. Bates, R., & Khasawneh, S. (2005). Organizational learning culture, learning transfer climate and perceived innovation in Jordanian organizations. International Journal of Training and Development,9(2), 96-109.‏
  11. Carney, R., & Jaffe, A. (2014). Insomnia and depression prior to myocardial infraction. Psychosomatic Medicine, 52, 603-609.
  12. Cook, J. (2013). Measuring critical factors of TQM. Measuring Business Excellence, 5, 27-30.
  13. Deouskar, N. (2017). The impact ergonomics on productivity of people. International Journal of Marketing & Financial Management, 5(6), 59-63.
  14. DeZoort, F.T., & Lord, A.T. (1997). A review and synthesis of pressure effects research in accounting. Journal of Accounting Literature,16, 28-85.‏
  15. Dul, J., & Neumann, W.P. (2009). Ergonomics contributions to company strategies. Applied ergonomics,40(4), 745-752.‏
  16. Edwards, D., Burnard, P., Coyle, D., Fothergill, A., & Hannigan, B. (2000). Stress and burnout in community mental health nursing: A review of the literature. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing,7(1), 7-14.‏
  17. Ekienabor, E.E. (2016). Impact of job stress on employees' productivity and commitment. International journal for research in business, management and accounting,2(5), 124-133.‏
  18. Etebarian, A., Azarbaeijani, K., Salehizadeh, S., & Honarmand, A.H. (2012). Factors affecting employees' productivity based on the Archieve Model (The case of Dr Ali Shariati Hospital). Health Information Management Journal, 9(7), 147-157. (In Farsi).
  19. Fisher, R.T. (2001). Role stress, the type A behavior pattern, and external auditor job satisfaction and performance. Behavioral Research in Accounting,13(1), 143-170.‏
  20. Ghazanfari, H., Babaianpour, M., & Mostafavi-Dehzouei, M.M. (2014). Structural model of ergonomic factors affecting implementation of quality management system. Production and Operation Management, 5(8), 93-112. (In Farsi).
  21. Griffin, M.L., Hogan, N.L., Lambert, E.G., Tucker-Gail, K.A., & Baker, D.N. (2010). Job involvement, job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment and the burnout of correctional staff. Criminal Justice and behavior,37(2), 239-255.‏
  22. Habibi, E.A., Ebrahimi, H., Barakat, S., & Maghsoudian, L. (2017).‏ Ergonomic assessment of musculoskeletal disorders risk factors in office staff using ROSA method and Its relation with efficiency. Journal of Military Medicine, 19(1), 31-39. (In Farsi).
  23. Haji, L., Karimi, H., & Valizadeh, N. (2020). The Effects of leadership styles on job performance of experts through the mediating role of psychological empowerment (the case of Agricultural Jihad Organization of Kerman Province). International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development,10(3), 243-256.‏
  24. Haji, L., Valizadeh, N., & Fatemi, M. (2019). Barriers to meteorological information use by farmers: A mixed methods analysis. Iranian Agricultural Extension and Education Journal, 15(2), 31-44. (In Farsi).
  25. Haji, L., Valizadeh, N., & Karimi, H. (2022). The effects of psychological capital and empowerment on entrepreneurial spirit: The case of Naghadeh County, Iran. International Journal of Finance & Economics, 27(1), 290-300. ‏
  26. Hartman, E., Vrielink, H.H.O., Metz, J.H., & Huirne, R.B. (2005). Exposure to physical risk factors in Dutch agriculture: effect on sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders. International journal of Industrial Ergonomics,35(11), 1031-1045.‏
  27. Hassani, S.A., Mobaraki, H., & Moghaddami-Fard, Z. (2012). The importance of ergonomics in boosting productivity and improving the efficiency of employees of Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Tibbi-i-kar, 4(4), 92-101. (In Farsi).
  28. Hedge, A., Morimoto, S., & Mccrobie, D. (1999). Effects of keyboard tray geometry on upper body posture and comfort. Ergonomics,42(10), 1333-1349.‏
  29. Honari, H., Rezaian, A., Kozehchian, H., & Ehsani, M. (2008). The relationship between motivation and productivity of human resources in Iran physical education organization. CHOREGIA, 14(1), 63-74. ‏
  30. Kaplan, R.S., & Norton, D.P. (2005). The balanced scorecard: Measures that drive performance. Harvard Business Review,83(7), 172-179.‏
  31. Karimi-Gougheri, H., & Rezvanfar, A. (2014). The influence of quality of work life on agricultural extension expert’s organizational commitment (a study in Kerman Province). Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research, 45(1), 125-141. (In Farsi).
  32. Karimi-Gougheri, H., Rezvanfar, A., & Hejazi, S.Y. (2013). Organizational culture components impact on agricultural extension experts’ job performance. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research, 43(4), 541-550. (In Farsi).
  33. Lambert, V.A., & Lambert, C.E. (2001). Literature review of role stress/strain on nurses: An international perspective. Nursing & health sciences,3(3), 161-172.‏
  34. Leblebici, D. (2012). Impact of workplace quality on employee’s productivity: Case study of a bank in Turkey. Journal of Business, Economics,1(1), 38-49.‏
  35. Leiter, M.P. (2008). A two process model of burnout and work engagement: Distinct implications of demands and values. Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro ed Ergonomia,30, 54-58.‏
  36. Makhbul, Z.M., Abdullah, N.L., & Senik, Z.C. (2013). Ergonomics and stress at workplace: Engineering contributions to social sciences. Jurnal Pengurusan, 37, 125-131.
  37. Makhbul, Z.M., Idrus, D., & Rani, M.R.A. (2007). Ergonomics design on the work stress Journal Kemanusiaan bil,9, ‏50-61.
  38. Marvian-Hosseini, Z., & Lari-Dasht-Bayaz, M. (2015). Investigating the role of occupational burnout and occupational stress and productivity of accountants. Health Accounting, 4(1), 57-80. (In Farsi).
  39. Maslach, C., & Jackson, S.E. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. Journal of Organizational Behavior,2(2), 99-113.‏
  40. McCann, J. (2004). Organizational effectiveness: Changing concepts for changing environments. Human Resource Planning, 27(1), 42-50. ‏
  41. Mirkamali, K.S., Ahmadizad, A., Kazemzadeh, S., & Varmaghani, M. (2019). Determining the relationship between job burnout and employee productivity. Iranian Journal of Ergonomics, 7(1), 37-44. (In Farsi).
  42. Monajemzadeh, Z., & Baradaran, M. (2009). Relation between quality of work life (QWL) and Ramin Agricultural and Natural Resource University personnel's. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 2-40(3), 39-47. (In Farsi).
  43. Mortazavi, M., Sharei, Z., & Maleki M.R. (2018). Explaining the relationship between employees' perception of organizational ergonomics and quality of administrative services. Public Management Agenda, 9(34), 11-134. (In Farsi).
  44. Movahedi, M.M., & Yousefy, M. (2011). Exploring effective factors in ergonomic system responsiveness to managers and employees’ requirements: A case study of Irankhodro Company. Quarterly Journal of Development and Transformation Management, 6(3), 39-48. (In Farsi).
  45. Nekouei-Moghaddam, M., & Malaei-Fard, A. (2009). Empowering human resources. Journal of Management Age, 4(10-11), 78-84. (In Farsi).
  46. Nikpour, A., & Zare-Kaseb, M. (2011). Ergonomics from organizational perspective and its role in employees' productivity. Employment and Society, 32(33), 93-99. (In Farsi).
  47. Ouellet, S., & Vézina, N. (2014). Work training and MSDs prevention: Contribution of ergonomics. International journal of Industrial ergonomics,44(1), 24-31.‏
  48. Portoghese, I., Galletta, M., Coppola, R.C., Finco, G., & Campagna, M. (2014). Burnout and workload among health care workers: The moderating role of job control. Safety and Health at Work,5(3), 152-157.‏
  49. Procter, L. (2008). Fundamentals of organizational behavior. Journal of Mank, 22(3), 28-35.
  50. Rachid, C., Ion, V., Irina, C., & Mohamed, B. (2015). Preserving and improving the safety and health at work: Case of Hamma Bouziane cement plant (Algeria). Safety Science,76, 145-150.‏
  51. Rebele, J.E., & Michaels, R.E. (1990). Independent auditors’ role stress: Antecedent, outcome, and moderating variables. Behavioral Research in Accounting,2(1), 124-153.‏
  52. Rogers, E. (1995). Diffusion of Innovations, fifth ed. Free Press, New York.
  53. Sadra-Abarghouei, N., & Jafarpour H. (2017). Surveying the relationship of Total Ergonomics with burnout (with case study). Journal of Ergonomi, 5(1), 51-59. (In Farsi).
  54. Sadra-Abarqhouei, N., Hosseini-Nasab, H., & Fakhrzad, M.B. (2012). Macro ergonomics interventions and their Impact on productivity and reduction of Musculoskeletal disorders: Including a case study. Work Health, 9(2), 27-39. (In Farsi).
  55. Sapele, F.F., TimirreI, O., & Dadom, Y.E. (2020). Productivity and employees drive in organization: An analyses of market square business. Journal of Global Economics and Business,1(1), 1-17.‏
  56. Sila, I. (2007). Examining the effects of contextual factors on TQM and performance through the lens of organizational theories: An empirical study. Journal of Operations management,25(1), 83-109.‏
  57. Sumiyati, S., Masharyono, M., Pratama, K.F., & Purnama, R. (2016). The effect of social work environment on employee productivity in manufacturing company in Indonesia. Proceedings of the 2016 Global Conference on Business, Management and Entrepreneurship, 1-2 August, Pp, 574-575, Atlantis Press.‏
  58. Westermann, C., Kozak, A., Harling, M., & Nienhaus, A. (2014). Burnout intervention studies for inpatient elderly care nursing staff: Systematic literature review. International Journal of Nursing Studies,51(1), 63-71.‏
  59. Yaghoubi, M., Karimi, S., Hassanzadeh, A., Javadi, M., Mandegar, H., & Abedi, F. (2009). Investigating the factors affecting employees' productivity based on the ACHIEVE Model ad perceived by head, administrative, and nursing managers of educational hospitals of Isfahan. Journal of Hospital, 8(2), 7-13. (In Farsi).
Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research
Volume 53, Issue 2
Spring 2022
Pages 431-446