IIHFD
Human Factor
The Human Factor: Its Meaning,
Composition, and Significance
The Human Factor is:
Spectrum of personality characteristics and other dimensions of human performance that enable social, economic and political institutions to function and remain functional, over time. Such dimensions sustain the workings and application of the rule of law, political harmony, a disciplined labor force, just legal systems, respect for human dignity and the sanctity of life, social welfare, and so on. As is often the case, no social, economic or political institutions can function effectively without being upheld by a network of committed persons who stand firmly by them. Such persons must strongly believe in and continually affirm the ideals of society (Adjibolosoo, 1995, p. 33).
The composition of the human factor is presented in Table 1 below.
Table 1
The Composition of the Human Factor
Spiritual Capital
It is the aspect of the human personality that is usually in tune with the universal laws and principles of human life. It equips the individual to see beyond what the five senses are able to grasp and also furnishes a deeper insight into the non-material world.
Moral Capital
It represents habits and attitudes of the human heart that are based on universal principles regarding right or wrong. It refers to the qualities individuals possess that lead them to conform or not to conform to universal principles of life. Its constituents include integrity, humility, justice, charity, patience, honesty, sensitivity, and fairness).
Aesthetic Capital
A deep sense of and love for beauty. It includes a strong passion for music, art, drama, dance and other artistic capacities (imagination and creativity are strong components).
Human Capital
The know-how and acquired skills (i.e., technical, conceptual, intellectual, analytic and communications); human experiences, knowledge, intelligence, physical well-being, emotional health, etc.
Human Abilities
These constitute the power or capacity of an individual to competently undertake projects or effectively perform tasks requiring mental and physical effort. They are required for the effective use of human capital. Examples include wisdom, vision, commitment, determination, diligence, courage, accountability, judgment, responsibility, competence, motivation, human energy, optimism, endurance, self-control, objectivity, and reliability.
Human Potentials
They are the human talents that may or may not be harnessed and employed for human utilization. These may be referred to as the yet undeveloped and unused dimensions of the human factor.
Source: Adjibolosoo, S. 1996. Human Factor Engineering and the Political Economy of African Economic Development. Westport, CT: Praeger (pp. 22-23).
Until human factor engineering programs are successfully initiated and propelled to accomplish the goal of assisting people on the receiving end of international humanitarian assistance, it will be difficult if not impossible to permanently improve the poor conditions of the physical environment, governance practices, human performance effectiveness, labor productivity, the standard of living, continuing economic growth, human-centered development, and the quality of life of the inhabitants of the developing countries. As noted earlier, since successful economic reform programs in the developing countries require the development of the positive human factor, it is imperative that everyone interested in international development and relief work understand that without the positive human factor, no reform attempts will work as effectively as intended. We will return to this issue later in the chapter and discuss it in detail.
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