For the past decade, the rapid development of the ergonomics disciplines as well as the fast growing economy in the Asian region have been attracting the attention of the international ergonomics community. Although East Asia has been changing from a traditional agriculture-oriented society into a modern industry-oriented society and its economy covers a great deal of shared interests across the continents, yet the ergonomics related knowledge and practice are still in its infancy. Because of the geographic proximity and a strong historical, cultural and technology affinity, it is vitally important to maintain good communication and cooperation among the individuals as well as among the ergonomics organizations in the region. This symposium, EAEFS, has provided supporting ergonomics organizations and interested participants a forum to exchange ideas, build friendship, foster greater understanding of and among these individuals and organizations, and develop perspectives concerning ergonomics issues in this region and beyond. This volume contains the selected papers presented at the Second East Asian Ergonomics Federation Symposium (EAEFS), held from October 4 - 8, 2011 at the National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. The Second EAEFS, endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association (IEA), aims to consolidate the established ties within East Asia and to extend the cooperation among ergonomics researchers, professionals, and practitioners in the region to other regions in Asia and the world. Senior scholars and leaders from Asian countries have shared their wisdom, experience, insights, and visions on past, current and future ergonomics efforts in Asia. The papers contributing to this book address the latest research and application in accordance with the theme of the symposium, "Ergonomics in Asia: Development, Opportunities and Challenges," and cover the following areas: Virtual Environments & Design, Aging & Work Ability, Usability & Interface, Biomechanics & Anthropometry, and Occupational Safety & Health.

Industrially developing countries have the largest populations, the highest levels of poverty, poor health, and illiteracy, and the greatest need for improvement in working conditions. And as the marketplace and the workforce goes increasingly global, accountability with regard to the abuse of cheap labor in developing countries is becoming an issu

Transitioning to Good Health and Well-Being addresses critical issues of health in the context of sustainability, which need to be tackled in order to achieve Agenda 2030. Acknowledging the dramatic improvements that have been made in the past decades with regards to health, we also face disparities that remain amongst and within countries. While life expectancy has more than doubled, we are, at the same time, confronted with the challenges that come along with population growth alongside environmental change, migration, ageing, and economic disparities. In its 2018 progress report concerning SDG 3, the UN stated that, while the quality of global health is increasing, “people are still suffering needlessly from preventable diseases”, both infectious and non-communicable, "and too many are dying prematurely". Although we are on the verge of eradicating, poliomyelitis, which disables 350’000 children each year, we continue to have few answers for outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases. Making progress against these outbreaks with strong health systems, particularly in neglected or inaccessible regions, is deeply connected to further issues targeted by the UN SDGs such as (restricted) access to clean water, healthy food, or continuing political instabilities as well as gender inequalities. Transitioning to Good Health and Well-Being, therefore, offers a vessel for a productive reflection and conversation on the meaning of and possibilities for global health, giving voice to a range of scholars, strategists and practitioners. Transitioning to Good Health and Well-Being is part of MDPI's new Open Access book series Transitioning to Sustainability. With this series, MDPI pursues environmentally and socially relevant research which contributes to efforts toward a sustainable world. Transitioning to Sustainability aims to add to the conversation about regional and global sustainable development according to the 17 SDGs. The book series is intended to reach beyond disciplinary, even academic boundaries.

Developing Asia has suffered as the COVID-19 pandemic persists. Growth, trade, and tourism collapsed in 2020, leading to the region’s first economic contraction in nearly 6 decades. Governments across Asia acted quickly to contain the virus and its economic effects, and signs of bottoming out have now appeared. Inflation remains benign, constrained by depressed demand and declining food prices. A prolonged pandemic is the primary downside risk to the outlook. Persistent or renewed outbreaks and a return to stringent containment could possibly derail the recovery and trigger financial turmoil. Recovery depends on measures to address the health crisis and on continued policy support. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of wellness, both physical and mental. Wellness—the pursuit of holistic health and well-being—is a component of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This report evaluates the state of wellness in Asia, documents how the wellness economy is a large and growing part of the region’s economy, and discusses how policy makers can promote wellness by creating healthy living environments, encouraging physical activity and healthy diets, and enhancing workplace wellness.

Over the last decade, many local students have preferred to study overseas. This has caused governments to announce the creation of programs and developments in the higher education sector to upgrade South-East Asia to a leading education hub. Moreover, many governments declared that they would work on the insurance of learning to increase the quality of the degrees and the teaching itself. This has led many to question the results of these declarations. Higher Education Challenges in South-East Asia provides an overview of what has been happening over the last ten years in higher education in South-East Asia. It also works to solve the challenges in modern education such as the impacts of digitalization, globalization, and Generation Y and Z learning styles. Covering topics that include globalization, educational technologies, and comparative teaching, this book impacts academic institutions, policymakers, government officials, university and college administrators and leaders, academicians, researchers, and students.

This book presents the proceedings of the Joint Conference of the Asian Council on Ergonomics and Design and Southeast Asian Network of Ergonomics Societies (ACED SEANES), held on December 2-4, 2020. By highlighting the latest theories and models, as well as cutting-edge technologies and applications, and by combining findings from a range of disciplines including engineering, design, robotics, healthcare, management, computer science, human biology and behavioral science, it provides researchers and practitioners alike with a comprehensive, timely guide on human factors and ergonomics. It also offers an excellent source of innovative ideas to stimulate future discussions and developments aimed at applying knowledge and techniques to optimize system performance, while at the same time promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals. The proceedings include papers from researchers and practitioners, scientists and physicians, institutional leaders, managers and policy makers that contribute to constructing the Human Factors and Ergonomics approach across a variety of methodologies, domains and productive sectors.

Wooden Furniture Making 1. Market Overview: Wooden furniture making is a thriving industry that caters to the global demand for aesthetically pleasing and functional furniture. As of 2021, the global wooden furniture market was valued at approximately $395 billion, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2021 to 2028. This industry's growth is driven by factors such as urbanization, increasing disposable income, and a growing awareness of sustainable and eco-friendly furniture options worldwide. 2. Market Segmentation: The wooden furniture market can be segmented into various categories based on factors like product type, material, distribution channel, and end-user. The key segments include: • Product Type: This includes segments such as tables, chairs, beds, cabinets, and sofas. • Material Type: Wooden furniture can be crafted from various wood types, such as hardwood, softwood, and engineered wood. • Distribution Channel: The market includes segments for online sales, brick-and-mortar stores, and custom furniture makers. • End-User: Segments comprise residential, commercial (office, hotels, restaurants), and industrial (manufacturing facilities). 3. Regional Analysis: The wooden furniture market exhibits significant regional variations: • Asia-Pacific: This region dominates the market due to its large population, rising disposable income, and a rich tradition of wooden craftsmanship. China, India, and Japan are key players in the Asia-Pacific market. • North America: The United States and Canada have a robust wooden furniture market, with a preference for high-quality, sustainable products. • Europe: European countries like Germany, Italy, and the UK have a long history of furniture making, making them prominent players in the global market. • Rest of the World: South American countries like Brazil and Middle Eastern countries are emerging markets with increasing demand for wooden furniture. 4. Market Drivers: Several factors drive the growth of the wooden furniture market: • Urbanization: The global shift towards urban living creates a constant demand for furniture to furnish homes and commercial spaces. • Sustainability: Growing environmental awareness has led to a preference for eco-friendly and sustainable wooden furniture. • E-commerce: The rise of online retail has made it easier for consumers to access a wide range of wooden furniture products. • Customization: Consumers are increasingly seeking unique and personalized furniture items, driving the demand for custom furniture makers. 5. Market Challenges: The wooden furniture industry also faces certain challenges: • Raw Material Costs: Fluctuations in wood prices, especially hardwood, can affect profit margins. • Competition from Alternative Materials: Furniture made from metal, plastic, or composite materials competes with wooden furniture. • Supply Chain Disruptions: Events like natural disasters and pandemics can disrupt the supply of raw materials and logistics. 6. Opportunities: Opportunities in the wooden furniture market include: • Innovation: Embrace technology and design innovations to create unique and sustainable furniture. • Global Expansion: Tap into emerging markets in Africa and South America. • Eco-Friendly Initiatives: Capitalize on the increasing demand for eco-friendly and certified sustainable wooden furniture. 7. Future Outlook: The future of the wooden furniture market looks promising. As consumers become more conscious of sustainable practices, the demand for eco-friendly furniture is expected to rise. The industry will also see continuous innovation in design and materials. Online sales channels are likely to gain more prominence, and customization will remain a significant trend. Conclusion: The global wooden furniture making industry is set for steady growth in the coming years, driven by urbanization, sustainability concerns, and innovative design. While facing challenges related to raw material costs and competition, businesses in this sector can capitalize on emerging opportunities and expanding their presence in new markets to remain competitive and meet the evolving demands of consumers worldwide.