Environnement capacitant et engagement des opérateurs : une mise en débat à partir de l’activité des techniciens de la base polaire Dumont D’Urville

Abstract

Learning in the workplace is a serious issue in ergonomics. In this perspective, constructive ergonomics (Falzon, 2013) proposes the enabling environment concept to establish a model of work environment characteristics, leading to learning and to development in and through work. The purpose of the present study is to examine the learning and development of wintering operators within two specific models, in order to highlight learning conditions at work: the enabling environment and Workplace Learning (Billett, 2001) approaches. This article proposes a work study based on nine wintering technicians isolated for twelve months in the French Dumont D’Urville station in Antarctica. The main results show that polar constraints, specific work organisation involving autonomy, and the resources available to technicians enable them to acquire and develop new skills. In this perspective, the article discusses and proposes a definition of environment characteristics which enable learning in and through work.

Keywords

• learning
• productive activity
• enabling environment
• polar conditions
• engagement