Work in Tropical Forests

This book compiles in an innovative approach a synopsis of work performed in natural and plantation forests in the tropics today, its types, its abundance and the related working conditions. It covers activities of formally and informally employed as well as of self-employed and own-account small-scale forest users, in subsistence and market economy. This includes also the specifics of the substantial work by women and children.

The synopsis is widely based on recently published work studies that are centered around the abilities, needs and efforts of the workers while fulfilling their tasks, resulting in performance and workload. Influencing variables from organizational, technical and managerial sides are considered as much as included in the publications. In addition to the mostly studied work in tree harvesting and processing also other activities are analyzed, in manual and motor-manual operations, like on-site conversion by pitsawing, primary transport, plantingand pruning.

An overview is provided for all interested in work in tropical forests, in particular students and researchers. The work studies described in detail as examples demonstrate the methodical state of the art of ergonomic research. For better understanding of the present orientation and coverage of relevant research a broad background of the development of general work science and forest work science is given. The lasting influence of Taylorism and the role of international agencies, in particular ILO and FAO, are pointed out, as well as the impact of actions by NGOs, e.g. in certification. The book is based on the broad international experience of the author in countries including Indonesia and China, over many years, and his activities in scientific networks on international level. He was teaching forest work science at university and doing related research, including the supervision of numerous theses, e.g. by Master students and PhD researchers from tropical Africa.

Autorentext

Siegfried Lewark is professor of forest work science at the University of Freiburg, Germany. His teaching, research and consulting in work organization and forest technology and operations was focused on ergonomic and social aspects. He supervised numerous theses, e.g. by Master students and PhD researchers from tropical Africa. Main topics were working conditions, safety and health, related to performance, on all levels of forestry and wood industry, as well as gender studies, competence development, education and e-learning. The book is based on the broad international experience of the author in countries such as Indonesia and China, over many years, and his activities in scientific networks on international level.

Zusammenfassung
This book presents a synopsis, with an innovative approach, of abundance, types and conditions of work performed in the tropical plantation and natural forests. It covers work of formally and informally employed, and of own-account small-scale forest users, women and children. Activities in tree harvesting are analyzed, also on-site conversion by pitsawing, planting and pruning. The abilities of the workers and their efforts while fulfilling their tasks, resulting in performance and workload, are described with many examples of published studies. Influencing variables from organizational, technical and managerial sides are considered as much as included in the studies. The detailed descriptions demonstrate the methodical state of ergonomic research. For better understanding of the coverage the background of the development of forest work science is described. The lasting influence of Taylorism and the roles of ILO and FAO as well as NGOs, e.g. in certification, are pointed out.

Inhalt
Part I: The Perspective of Work SciencePeople and Work in Tropical Forests: An IntroductionWork and Sustainable Forest ManagementDevelopment of Work SciencePart II: Sample Work StudiesMethodology of Work StudyWork in Plantation ForestsWork for Industrial Forest Utilization in Natural ForestsWork for Non-Industrial Forest Utilization in Natural ForestsPart III: Insights from Work Science into Work in Tropical ForestsSome Issues of Work in Tropical Forests, in a NutshellSome Thoughts at the End