Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

Shoe Last Design for Men with Flat Feet

Shayan Kafi

Objectives: Flat feet (Pes Planus) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition that results in multi-joint pain, premature fatigue, and balance instability. Given that mass-produced footwear in Iran often lacks alignment with Iranian anatomical characteristics, this study aimed to determine the appropriate dimensions and indices for designing customized shoe lasts for Iranian men with flat feet. This approach seeks to enhance biomechanical performance and prevent excessive pressure and impact on the feet.
Methods: This applied-developmental study was conducted using a descriptive-analytical methodology. Data were collected through four primary instruments, namely a questionnaire (n=26), expert interviews, observation and analysis of existing commercial products, and anthropometric measurement of 10 users across 10 specific parameters, including footprint characteristics. The primary goal was to establish standardized dimensions for shoe last design, addressing the current lack of localized industrial standards in the domestic market.
Results: Findings indicate that public awareness regarding flat feet and its associated corrective products is low, and users are dissatisfied with existing market solutions. Clinical observations confirmed that most Iranian orthopedic centers focus primarily on insole production, with treatment centered on symptom control and pain reduction. Based on the urgent need for optimized products and the collected anthropometric data, a sole pattern and a 3D shoe last model were designed and developed.
Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of enhancing medial longitudinal arch support through specialized shoe last design, which can significantly mitigate complications associated with flat feet. The final outcome—comprising the sole pattern and the customized shoe last—demonstrates that integrating anthropometric data into engineering design environments provides a robust platform for manufacturers, ultimately leading to improved consumer satisfaction and enhanced foot health.

The Relationship between Participation Ergonomics and Creativity in the University Oversight Units

Yadollah Hamidi

Objectives: One of the most important elements and duties of management is to create the necessary environment for fostering creativity to bring about organizational transformation. Participatory ergonomics, as a systematic approach emphasizing the active involvement of employees in designing and improving work systems, can provide a foundation for simultaneously enhancing both participation and creativity. Given the importance of governance roles in universities and the potential impact of management and ergonomic studies in this field, this study aimed to assess the level of employee creativity and its relationship with their participation in the university.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in strategic and oversight units directly affiliated with the university presidency with standard questionnaires, including "Belcher’s Partnership" and "Randsip's Creativity", take census from 63 emploees. Data were analyzed using SPSS20 software, and correlations were determined using the Pearson correlation and regression and variance analysis coefficient with a significance level of less than 0.05.
Results: The average creativity score of staff was 180.41, and the participation rate was 113.83, both representing more than 75% of the total score. The results did not indicate a direct relation between employee creativity and their participation (p = 0.206). There was a difference in creativity between men and women, with women showing higher average creativity scores than men. Employee participation and creativity levels are significantly influenced by the nature of their work.
Conclusion: The level of employee participation and creativity is significantly influenced by the nature of their work. Creating a conducive environment to enhance participation and creativity, especially in governance roles where legal constraints may exist, is essential. Participatory ergonomics, by providing a structured framework for engaging employees in problem‑solving and improving work processes, can help overcome some barriers and strengthen creative potential. Furthermore, leveraging the presence of women in supervisory units can enhance creativity in positions that require innovative thinking.

Effectiveness of an Educational–ergonomic Intervention on Psychosocial Factors, Musculoskeletal Disorders, and Productivity of Administrative Staff in the Health Network: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Leila Aghaei

Objectives: Office staff in health networks are exposed to adverse psychosocial factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) associated with improper working posture, which may reduce productivity. The present study aimed to examine the relationships between psychosocial factors and WMSDs with productivity among administrative staff of a health network and to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational–ergonomic intervention on these outcomes.
Methods: This quasi-experimental pretest–posttest study was conducted among 150 employees of the Behbahan health network in Iran. Data were collected using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ III), the Hersey and Goldsmith ACHIEVE productivity questionnaire, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Working posture was assessed using the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) checklist in a random subsample (n=15). A three-month educational–ergonomic intervention was delivered in small groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26), and statistical significance was set at 0.05.
Results: Overall psychosocial score was positively correlated with total productivity (r=0.633, p<0.01). The WMSDs demonstrated significant negative correlations with selected productivity dimensions (p<0.05). After the intervention, psychosocial dimensions and overall productivity improved significantly (p<0.001), with a marked increase in total productivity (2.82 to 4.03; Cohen’s d=1.51). The WMSDs decreased significantly (5.36 to 4.24; p<0.001). Moreover, no significant change was observed in the ROSA score (p=0.640).
Conclusion: The educational–ergonomic intervention improved workplace psychosocial conditions and reduced musculoskeletal complaints, thereby increasing productivity among administrative staff in the health network. In addition, it is recommended to conduct controlled studies.

Integrated Model of Municipal Employees' Efficiency and Performance Based on Transformational Leadership and Smart City Technologies

Jafar Nasir Nateri

Objectives: With the rapid expansion of smart city initiatives, municipal employees' productivity challenges have become a critical, organizational, and service delivery issue. This study aimed to design an integrated model of transformational leadership, smart city technologies, and organizational ergonomics to enhance the efficiency and performance of municipal employees in smart cities.
Methods: This mixed-methods study consisted of qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 elite experts and senior managers, and data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis (256 initial codes, 41 sub-themes, 4 main themes). In the quantitative phase, the conceptual model was tested through a researcher-developed questionnaire administered to 238 employees from Tehran Municipality District 8 (96.36% response rate). Data analysis was performed using PLS-SEM in Smart PLS 4 software with 5000 bootstrap subsamples.
Results: Qualitative analysis identified 4 main themes, namely transformational leadership, smart city technologies, organizational ergonomics, and employee efficiency/performance. Quantitative results demonstrated excellent model fit (R²=0.78, Q²=0.56, SRMR=0.051, NFI=0.95). All three dimensions had significant positive effects on efficiency. Moreover, transformational leadership exhibited the strongest effect with a path coefficient of 0.46 (t=8.47, f²=0.42), identified as the primary predictor.
Conclusion: The integrated model of transformational leadership, smart city technologies, and organizational ergonomics provides an effective framework for analyzing and enhancing municipal employees' efficiency in smart cities. This approach is expected to improve service efficiency and citizen satisfaction. The findings underscore the need to shift from purely technology-driven approaches to a systemic, human-centered perspective integrating leadership, technology, and job design.

Effects of Combined Functional Exercise Training on Cortisol Levels, Fear of Falling, and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Fear of Falling

Masoomeh Seif

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of combined functional exercise training on fear of falling, salivary cortisol levels, and quality of life in older adults with a fear of falling.
Methods: A total of 40 older adults (16 men and 24 women aged ≥65 years) with a fear of falling were randomly assigned to either a control group (n=20, 8M/12F) or an exercise group (n=20, 8M/12F). The exercise group participated in an 8-week combined training program consisting of resistance, balance, and flexibility exercises, while the control group maintained their usual lifestyle. Quality of life (LEIPAD questionnaire) and fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale International [FES-I]) were assessed before and 48 hours after the intervention in both groups. Salivary cortisol levels were also measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: Fear of falling was significantly lower in the training group compared to the control group after the intervention (p<0.0001). The 8‑week combined exercise program resulted in a 51% reduction in fear of falling among the older adults (p<0.0001). Quality of life significantly improved in the training group compared to that in the control group (p≤0.001). Moreover, salivary cortisol levels were lower in the training group than those in the control group (p≤0.0001), while the combined exercises produced a 19.5% reduction in cortisol compared to pre-training levels (p=0.07).
Conclusion: Combined functional exercise program significantly reduced fear of falling and improved quality of life in older adults, while also inducing a downward trend in cortisol levels. Therefore, such programs can be recommended as safe and effective strategies in geriatric rehabilitation settings.

Analysis of the Role of Social Capital Development in the Improvement of the Quality of Nurses' Performance (Case Study of Markazi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services in Iran)

Amir Ehsan Zahedi

Objectives: Nurses, as the largest professional group in the health system, are affected by the level of communication and sharing networks in their work environments due to their constant contact with patients and other members of the treatment team. The present study aimed to investigate the role of social capital on key indicators of nurses' performance.
Methods: The study is considered quantitative, and the time frame includes spring and summer 2025. In addition, the population involved nurses at the University of Medical Sciences in Markazi Province, Iran, and a sample of 180 was selected using a simple random method. Data analysis performed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with the Smart PLS (version 3.0) software.
Results: The cognitive, relational, and structural dimensions of social capital positively affect nurses' participation and social cohesion. The cognitive dimension has the greatest effect on social participation, with a coefficient of 0.541. Social participation and cohesion also have a positive effect on nurses' retention and satisfaction. Social participation has a greater effect on retention with a coefficient of 0.641.
Conclusion: Explaining common objectives, creating an atmosphere based on trust, mutual respect, and social support in the workplace, designing structures such as interdisciplinary work teams, and professional nursing networks can help increase social participation and cohesion among nurses and ultimately lead to increased job satisfaction and a desire to stay in the organization.

A Narrative Review on the Role of Green Ergonomics and Ecological Ergonomics in Achieving Zero Waste; No to Chemical Waste

Hojatollah Hossainian

Objectives: Improper waste management, as one of the main factors in environmental degradation, requires new approaches such as zero waste, green ergonomics, and Ergoecology, as well as substitution chemists' attempts and investigations related to their chemical waste and pollutant products. This study, based on the DIN 91436 standard framework, examines the role of new approaches in realizing sustainable waste management systems and reducing negative environmental impacts.
Methods: This review study was conducted through a systematic search of international (PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science) and Persian databases (SID, Magiran, IranMedex, and IranDoc) for articles published from 1990 to 2025. The search strategy included a combination of keywords, and articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria; the extracted data were then categorized and clarified through thematic analysis.
Results: According to studies, green ergonomics is effective through sustainable product and process design, reducing waste at source, and increasing recycling, and aligns with the prevention stage within the framework of the DIN 91436 standard. Moreover, by analyzing human-environment interactions, Ergoecology provides a systematic framework for achieving zero waste with an emphasis on the technical, social, and environmental dimensions. By combining these two approaches within the framework of the aforementioned standard, an effective path towards a circular economy and sustainable waste management is mapped out, while chemists' investigations often focus on materials or methods that can be degraded and damage the environment overall, which is in contrast with zero waste.
Conclusion: A variety of experimental sciences, research, and technologies ultimately cause various environmental damages, as some of them are discussed in this study. Achieving zero waste requires the integration of the three main pillars of green ergonomics, ergo-ecology, and the implementation framework of the DIN 91436 standard. This integration not only reduces waste and conserves resources but also promotes human health and environmental sustainability. To institutionalize this approach, it is necessary to expand interdisciplinary research, incorporate its principles into policymaking, and invest in education and culture among all stakeholders.

Policy Brief for Enhancing the Performance of the Research and Technology Administration in Future Pandemics

Ali Reza Soltanian

Emerging and re-emerging diseases pose numerous challenges to health systems due to their unknown nature and rapid spread, and the lack of structured research planning exacerbates this situation. This study aimed to elucidate team-building methodologies and provide a model for policy-making in academic research in response to pandemics. The formation of rapid response teams for conducting research, along with establishing research groups and leaders, and focal points in the counties of a province according to a coherent timeline, is essential for research endeavors during pandemics of emerging diseases. Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration and the synergy of expertise, combined with facilitating decision-making mechanisms, play a key role in enhancing research governance during health crises and can strengthen the preparedness of academic institutions for future pandemics.