Operation control device for imparting force to joystick knob

An operation control device comprising:

• a manual operating unit having a joystick knob operable at least in one direction;
• a knob displacement detector to detect an operating state of the joystick knob to generate knob displacement information;
• a controller to convert an amount of knob displacement obtained from the knob displacement information into an amount of force;
• and a force imparting unit to impart a force corresponding to the amount of force to the joystick knob during an operation of the joystick knob, wherein the controller sets the amount of force such that when the joystick knob passes through at least one selective positions in stages from a starting position to be operated to a terminating position, the amount of force at the at least one selective position is increased in stages as the joystick knob goes from a starting position side toward a terminating position side.