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

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.