Abstract Paper aims To shed light on the state of the art of the academic production in Ergonomics. Originality There is no study on the Brazilian academic production in Ergonomics for the last 30 years. Research method Based on the Capes database, the abstracts of 1471 theses/dissertations from 2007 to 2017 were classified by approach and focus. Main findings 58.9% of the studies are diagnoses and only 1.4% presents complete projects for work optimization, what might indicate a difficulty of implementing ergonomic interventions in Brazilian companies. 52% of the publications are from national meeting proceedings and only 5.4% from international journals. Implications for theory and practice The lack of clear objectives, main results and applications in the abstracts reduces the potential interest in the studies. This, and the low number of intellectual production (less than one publication/study) impact the dissemination of knowledge.

Abstract Paper aims This article discusses the importance of intuition and wisdom for timely andsuccessful decision making and highlights the features of intuitive leaders. Originality As engineers reach higher hierarchical levels, technical knowledge must be balanced with intuition, a matter that is not addressed in their education. Research method It is a theoretical essay illustrated by an example. Main findings Information is always incomplete and imperfect, and thus intuition plays a key role on effective decision making Implications for theory and practice It sheds light on the importance of intuition in decision making, which is not discussed in Engineering courses curricula. It also presents the example of Lynaldo Cavalcanti de Albuquerque, former President of the Federal University of Paraiba (UFPb) and the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), who can be a role model of a effective decision maker, and a visionary and intuitive leader.

Apresenta-se a técnica de Planejamento Estratégico Situacional, em comparação com os métodos tradicionais de planejamento. Esse novo método de planejamento é aplicável a sistemas complexos, como as organizações sociais, sujeitos a diversos tipos de incertezas.

The technique of Situational Strategic Planning is presented in comparison with the traditional planning methods. This new method is applicable to complex systems, like social organizations, subjected to several types of uncertainties.

Este artigo faz uma revisão crítica de alguns conceitos tradicionais em segurança do trabalho, entre os quais se incluem a teoria do "dominó" e a personalidade com predisposição para acidentes. Mostra as mudanças de abordagens que começaram a ocorrer a partir da década de 70, devidas principalmente ao melhor conhecimento sobre a natureza do erro humano, à mudança qualitativa ocorrida na natureza do trabalho humano e ao aumento potencial de prejuízos em acidentes graves, sem lalar na maior conscientização da população mundial para esses problemas. O assunto já não é tratado apenas no nível subalterno das empresas, passando a fazer parte da política geral de atuação das mesmas, no nível estratégico, a longo prazo.

This paper presents a critical review of some traditional work conditions concepts, emphasing the "domino" theory and the personality with accident predisposition. The paper also shows the changes on the work conditions studies approach that have beginned in the seventies, due mainly to the better knowledge about the character of human fails, to the increased losse caused by severe accidentes and to the great changes occuredin the nature of the human work. The subject - work conditions safety - raises nowadays to a theme treated at the strategic level of the companies, being present among the other subjects assigned to company administration responsability, and also present in companies long term politics formulation.