Optimization of productivity in the footwear finishing process through a modular furniture proposal

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70929/caui3.v2i1.0019

Keywords:

productivity, modular furniture, footwear finishing, micro-enterprise, industrial design

Abstract

Productivity in the footwear finishing process is a key determinant of performance in micro-enterprises, especially in contexts where limited space and improvised furniture are common. This article examines productivity optimization in the finishing area through a modular furniture proposal supported by a systematic review of specialized literature. The findings highlight recurring operational issues such as workspace disorder, work-in-process accumulation, and unnecessary operator movement, all of which disrupt process continuity. Based on the reviewed evidence, modular furniture is identified as a practical strategy to improve productivity by reorganizing the workspace, defining work zones, bringing tools and materials closer to operators, and reducing avoidable motion and waiting time, thereby enabling a more continuous task sequence. In conclusion, modular furniture is presented as an applicable and transferable alternative to enhance finishing-area organization and provide industrial design criteria for footwear micro-enterprises.

Author Biographies

  • Juan Palacios-Proaño, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Ambato, Ecuador.

    Industrial Engineer and Industrial Design Engineer, with master's degrees in Education Sciences and Product Design. He works as a university professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ambato campus, where he has 14 years of experience. His academic work focuses on the design, automation, and application of technologies in educational and industrial contexts. He maintains a didactic approach oriented toward the integration of theoretical foundations and practice, contributing to technical training and the development of skills in the field of design and industry.

  • Andy Tipán-Martínez, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Ambato, Ecuador.

    As an Industrial Design Engineer, throughout my training I acquired a solid foundation in product design and development through prototyping, teamwork, and 3D modeling, understanding that simplicity and knowledge of materials are key to mass production. I strengthened my research skills to validate functionality and market viability. In addition, I worked with wood, metal, and plastic and incorporated notions of electronics and programming that I will continue to refine.

References

[1] A. K. S. Cazza Lizarraga and G. C. Revilla Jesus, “Diseño de una propuesta ergonómica para la mejora de las condiciones físicas en la empresa de calzados Boleje E.I.R.L., 2022,” 2023. Accessed: Jan. 03, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12394/13469

[2] R. L. Chariguamán-Artiaga and G. L. Real-Pérez, “Evaluación de la capacidad productiva de una empresa de calzado en Ambato, Ecuador,” Ingeniería Industrial, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 1–11, Jul. 2022, Accessed: Jan. 03, 2026. [Online]. Available: http://scielo.sld.cu/pdf/rii/v43n2/1815-5936-rii-43-02-3.pdf

[3] F. Henao, Introducción a la salud ocupacional. Ecoe Ediciones, 2006.

[4] Instituto de Biomecánica de Valencia, “Ergonomía en el sector del calzado,” 2023. [Online]. https://www.insst.es/documentacion/material-tecnico/documentos-tecnicos/estudio-ergonomico-sector-calzado-tareas-de-aparado-ano-2021

[5] Instituto Nacional de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (INSST) O.A. M.P., “Estudio ergonómico en el sector del calzado: tareas de aparado,” 2021. [Online]. Available: http://cpage.mpr.gob.es

[6] L. M. López Poveda and Y. Y. Campos Villalta, “Prevalencia de trastornos musculoesqueléticos y posturas forzadas en artesanos del calzado en Ambato-Ecuador,” Revista Conecta Libertad, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 43–51, 2020. [Online]. https://revistaitsl.itslibertad.edu.ec/index.php/ITSL/article/view/175

[7] M. B. Monar Naranjo, “La ergonomía y la productividad en el sector del calzado en la provincia de Tungurahua,” Tesis de pregrado, Universidad Técnica de Ambato, 2020. [Online]. https://repositorio.uta.edu.ec/items/51f990ff-b43b-4c05-90a3-1d2cf13f856e

[8] M. G. Peche Díaz, “Diseño de una simulación del proceso productivo de una empresa de calzado para aumentar su productividad,” Tesis de pregrado, Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo, 2022. [Online]. https://alicia.concytec.gob.pe/vufind/Record/USAT_69abac2959be9e8eb7f5c1ecad62cfc0

[9] A. Piedrabuena Cuesta et al., “Estudio ergonómico del puesto de aparado de calzado: factores de riesgo y recomendaciones,” Informe técnico, Fundación MAPFRE, n.d. [Online]. https://documentacion.fundacionmapfre.org/documentacion/publico/es/bib/173512.do

[10] K. J. Ríos Labajos, “Aplicación de la herramienta 5S para incrementar la productividad en el área de producción de la empresa calzado Mana Bussines S.A.C.,” Tesis de pregrado, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, 2021. [Online]. https://alicia.concytec.gob.pe/vufind/Record/UPAO_c23342e52c0ce891319364d189f3e956

[11] J. L. Sandoval Adrianzén, “Implementación de la Metodología 5S para Mejorar la Productividad en la MYPE de Fabricación de Calzados, Alejandro Zapatos 2022 ,” 2023. Accessed: Jan. 03, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11818/7341

[12] E. Viera, “Problemática del sector productivo del calzado de Tungurahua: perspectivas estratégicas desde el ámbito del diseño,” Tesis de posgrado, Universidad de Palermo, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.palermo.edu. Accessed: 29-Jan-2026.

[13] Instituto Nacional de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (INSST), “NTP 1088: Alcance máximo y normal en el plano horizontal,” Notas Técnicas de Prevención, 2016. https://www.insst.es/documentacion/colecciones-tecnicas/ntp-notas-tecnicas-de-prevencion/31-serie-ntp-numeros-1066-a-1101-ano-2016/ntp-1.088-alcance-maximo-y-normal-en-el-plano-horizontal?utm_source

[14] J. Prokopenko, La gestión de la productividad: manual práctico. Ginebra, Suiza: Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT), 1989. https://www.academia.edu/36759664/lA_GESTION_DE_LA_PRODUCTIVIDAD_Manual_pr%C3%A1ctico

[15] International Organization for Standardization, ISO 6385:2016 – Ergonomic principles in the design of work systems. Geneva, Switzerland: ISO, 2016. https://www.iso.org/standard/63785.html?utm_source

[16] F. Povea and A. García, “Análisis y propuesta de estrategias de logística inversa para el aprovechamiento de plásticos residuales”, Revista Digital Científica Causalidad (caui3), vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 40–54, Jan. 2025, doi: 10.70929/caui3.v1i1.2tfkbq32.

Downloads

Published

2026-02-12

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): Innovaciones en Automatización y Ergonomía

Section

Survey Paper

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Scientific Digital Journal Causality Causality (caui3)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

[1]
J. Palacios-Proaño and A. Tipán-Martínez, “Optimization of productivity in the footwear finishing process through a modular furniture proposal”, Revista Digital Científica Causalidad (caui3), vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 23–33, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.70929/caui3.v2i1.0019.