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1 – 10 of over 35000Maja Rožman, Sonja Treven, Matjaž Mulej and Vesna Čančer
The purpose of this paper is to present the importance of a healthy working environment and approaches to establish a healthy working environment of older employees and their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the importance of a healthy working environment and approaches to establish a healthy working environment of older employees and their impact on work engagement of older employees. The working environment that is not suitable and adapted for older employees presents a big challenge for Slovenian and other companies in which the work force is getting older. Hence, this paper develops a model of a healthy working environment for older employees, in which they could feel well because of its positive affect on their health.
Design/methodology/approach
The research method in this paper was the descriptive-correlative type. After a systematic review of literature, which relates to this topic, the authors used the compilation method. In addition to descriptive statistics, factor analysis and regression analysis were used in this paper.
Findings
Considering the demographic changes and active ageing in the workplace, age diversity of employees has to become a part of the general strategy of a company to ensure equality and diversity. Adequate working conditions, which should exist in every company, contribute to the improvement of healthy working environment for older employees and their work-engagement. This paper presents that approaches to establish a healthy working environment of older employees have a positive impact on work-engagement of older employees.
Practical implications
The stated findings will help companies to better understand and manage their older employees and the importance of establishing a healthy working environment for older employees with which the work-engagement of older employees can be improved. Socially responsible behavior benefits all in this way, too.
Originality/value
This paper is based on forming a research model for creating a healthy working environment for older employees as a part of social responsibility. The main objective of this paper is to examine the impact of establishment of a healthy working environment for older employees on the work engagement of older employees in Slovenia.
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This paper aims to explore the relevance of the application of an environmental management system in creating the image of a good corporate citizen in the Australian construction…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the relevance of the application of an environmental management system in creating the image of a good corporate citizen in the Australian construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The author applied a research method based on data collected from annual reports, corporations' websites and publicly available statistics; and interviews conducted with stakeholders of the leading Australian construction industry corporations.
Findings
The environmental management system has a part in creating the image of a good corporate citizen. Majority of the companies pursues the corporate governance structure that is concerned about healthy environment. None of the companies includes both suppliers and community representatives in the board of directors. There is a different interpretation as to what healthy working environment comprises, and how to sustain a healthy environment of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The implementation of the occupational, health and safety regulations varies from state of state in Australia.
Practical implications
All companies should pursue the governance structure that ensures the social values of the organization are aligned with those of the community; overall unique stakeholders' understanding of a healthy working environment should support sustainability; equal implementation of occupational, health and safety regulations for each state in Australia could contribute overcoming for much‐needed occupational, health and safety improvement.
Originality/value
The originality of the paper is in applying the framework for examining the environmental management system pertinence to the image of defined good corporate citizen. The paper is useful to construction industry practitioners, academics, and government.
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Joanne Crawford, Alice Davis, Halimatus Minhat and Mohd Rafee Baharudin
It is estimated that we spend at least a third of our working lives in the workplace and the duration of this, due to the extension of working lives through legislative changes…
Abstract
It is estimated that we spend at least a third of our working lives in the workplace and the duration of this, due to the extension of working lives through legislative changes and increased pension ages, is set to increase. Ageing of the workforce is a growing concern but health and safety issues cannot be used as an excuse for not employing older workers. A healthy workplace is one where the risks are managed and where workers and their managers work together to improve the work environment and protect the health of the workers. Furthermore, linking this to personal health resources and the local community can improve the health of all involved. Within the workplace this includes both the psychosocial and physical work environment. To create a healthy workplace there is a need to ensure risk management measures are in place and our older workers participation in risk assessment and risk reduction programmes. In addition to this, targeted occupational health promotion programmes may be beneficial. There are few integrated policies with regard to age and work but research does identify good practice, including participation of employees in change measures, senior management commitment and taking a life-course approach. While there are challenges in relation to age-related change, the work ability concept can improve understanding. The use of a comprehensive approach such as Age Management can help employers who have a critical role in making the workplace age-ready.
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Ebru Baykal Uluoz and Göksenin Inalhan
This paper aims to propose and provide an overview of a model analysis that considers the main spatial design attributes that influence and produce the most relevant salutogenic…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose and provide an overview of a model analysis that considers the main spatial design attributes that influence and produce the most relevant salutogenic outcomes. These results are essential for a healthy work experience, especially in shared workspaces.
Design/methodology/approach
This study departs from the theoretical contributions of the salutogenic approach, principles from supportive design theory, psychosocial supportive design and the environmental demands and resources model. After a scoping literature review covering different fields of workspace design, environmental psychology and evidence-based design of health-care facilities, a conceptual analysis is done on a proposed understanding of work, health and environmental relations to overview spatial attributes that enhance specific salutogenic and well-being-promoting outcomes needed for a healthy work experience.
Findings
The model of analysis, as a theoretical element that helps create methodological tools, combined with the application of a post occupancy evaluation, is thought to assist architects, designers, workspace owners and stakeholders in their new designs or to evaluate existing ones.
Originality/value
Studies on defining spatial attributes and their intended salutogenic outcomes have been formally done in health-care facilities. However, applying this idea to shared workspaces is something new and is expected to contribute to their design and evaluation, especially if the notion of environmental demands and resources is complemented.
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Peter Hasle, Anders Bojesen, Per Langaa Jensen and Pia Bramming
The effects of lean on employees have been debated ever since the concept was introduced. The purpose of this paper is to review the scientific literature on the effects of lean…
Abstract
Purpose
The effects of lean on employees have been debated ever since the concept was introduced. The purpose of this paper is to review the scientific literature on the effects of lean on the working environment and employee health and well‐being.
Design/methodology/approach
Relevant databases were searched for studies of lean and the working environment. In total, 11 studies with quantitative effects of lean are included in this review. The methodology and results are analysed to extract information about lean and the effects on working environment.
Findings
There is strong evidence for the negative impact of lean on both the working environment and employee health and well‐being in cases of manual work with low complexity. However, since examples of positive effects were also found in the literature, it is important to move from a simple cause‐and‐effect model to a more comprehensive model that understands lean as an open and ambiguous concept, which can have both positive and negative effects depending on the actual lean practice used on the shop floor.
Research limitations/implications
The evidence remains limited with regard to the effect of lean on the working environment outside of manufacturing industry. The literature reflects, only to a limited extent, on the significance of implementation strategy and production context.
Practical implications
Organizations working with lean should make efforts to avoid an impaired working environment for manual employees. Involvement of employees in lean's practical application is one possible way of developing a healthy working environment.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to make use of the existing research evidence to examine the complex and ambiguous relations between lean and the working environment.
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Åsa Vidman and Annika Strömberg
Recruiting and retaining staff to work with elderly people in social care is a global issue. The quality of leadership is considered important because it influences employees’ job…
Abstract
Purpose
Recruiting and retaining staff to work with elderly people in social care is a global issue. The quality of leadership is considered important because it influences employees’ job satisfaction, job turnover and health. This paper aims to identify leadership that employees in residential elderly care facilities in Sweden consider as contributing towards a healthy work environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors interviewed 14 persons employed in facilities organized in different ways. The data from these interviews was analysed using qualitative content analysis..
Findings
The results showed that the employees felt that their health partly depended on the attributes that leaders possessed, what leaders do and how leaders do it. This study confirms that leadership influences the perception of a healthy workplace. It also shows that questions about leadership are complex.
Originality/value
Research about factors that increase health risks is wide-ranging; however, research that examines factors that promote health, especially how leadership influences employees’ well-being, is not as comprehensive.
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Hamta Kazemi Koohbanani, Atefeh Zarei and Nasrolah Erfani
The purpose of this paper is to identify the librarians’ quality of working life (QWL) in the Iranian public libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the librarians’ quality of working life (QWL) in the Iranian public libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study is an applied research in terms of purpose and an analytical survey in terms of data collection and analysis method. The Walton standard questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. The statistical population of this research consists of librarians in the Iranian public libraries. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in order to analyze the data.
Findings
The findings showed that the dimensions of organizational social integration, constitutionalism in the organization and the capacity for human development are at a good level; the dimensions of the environment opportunity for continued growth and security and safe and healthy work are at a moderate level. Finally, the dimensions of fair and adequate payment, social relevance of work life and total life space are at a weak level are shown.
Originality/value
The findings of the confirmed hypothesis indicated that the librarians at the Iranian public libraries have a desirable (high) QWL.
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Mark O'Donnell, Lisa A. Ruth-Sahd and Clifton O. Mayfield
The purpose of this paper is to test whether supportive workspace design, cultivation of high-quality leader–member relationships and vision alignment explain incremental variance…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test whether supportive workspace design, cultivation of high-quality leader–member relationships and vision alignment explain incremental variance in job satisfaction, work engagement and overall life satisfaction beyond antecedents identified in an earlier model of healthy workplace practices.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reports the results of a survey study with a diverse sample of 214 employees.
Findings
In a series of regression analyses, the findings revealed that supportive workspace design, cultivation of high-quality leader–member relationships and vision alignment each explain incremental variance in one or more outcome variables (job satisfaction, work engagement and overall life satisfaction) beyond that of antecedents identified in an earlier model of healthy workplace practices.
Research limitations/implications
The present study identifies additional important variables to consider when conducting future research on healthy workplace practices. Future research could use longitudinal or experimental designs to further investigate the causal direction of the relationships identified in the present paper.
Practical implications
Managers can implement the practices identified in this paper to improve employees’ work engagement, job satisfaction and overall life satisfaction.
Social implications
This paper offers insights about how to improve employees’ lives, and thus, the potential impact is far-reaching and meaningful.
Originality/value
This paper empirically assesses workplace variables that were not included in tests of the prior healthy workplace practices model.
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Bodil J. Landstad, Marianne Hedlund and Stig Vinberg
Small-scale enterprises (SSEs) are important for sustainable development in Europe and account for a significant proportion of private enterprises and their large contribution to…
Abstract
Purpose
Small-scale enterprises (SSEs) are important for sustainable development in Europe and account for a significant proportion of private enterprises and their large contribution to employment. The purpose of this paper is to explore workplace health management (WHM) from the perspective of managers in SSEs in Norway and Sweden.
Design/methodology/approach
In-depth interviews with 18 managers in SSEs were conducted and a stepwise qualitative analysis was used.
Findings
The findings are presented as two main patterns: inter-organisational dynamics and participative leadership. Managers discussed opportunities for WHM to foster solidarity and flexibility in the workplace, the potential of employees for self-governance and a cultural environment at the workplace characterized by safety, trust, care, loyalty and humour. The managers employed a process-oriented communicator style, were all-rounders, and demonstrated dedicated and distinct management. Managers in SSEs were lone problem solvers and experienced high and conflicting work demands and work-family conflicts.
Research limitations/implications
The findings should be interpreted with caution concerning representation of SSEs generally. The enterprises were recruited from an intervention project focussing on WHM and might, therefore, have a positive attitude.
Practical implications
The managers obtain recommended information about what to do and how to address WHM in SSEs.
Originality/value
This study adds important knowledge regarding the preconditions for creating health promoting workplaces in SSEs, an area for which limited research exists. The findings provide insights and knowledge about managers’ possibilities and obstacles in WHM. The findings could be transferrable to management in similar contexts if managers develop more awareness and knowledge.
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Per Anker Jensen and Theo J.M. van der Voordt
This paper aims to explore the impact of buildings on the creation of healthy workplaces (HWs) and end users’ physical and mental health and well-being. The paper presents…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the impact of buildings on the creation of healthy workplaces (HWs) and end users’ physical and mental health and well-being. The paper presents available research on the impact of workplace layout, interior design, indoor climate and “green” offices. It ends with reflections on the main lessons learned, gaps in our current knowledge and suggestions for further research.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature research has been conducted of all papers in four corporate real estate management and facilities management-oriented journals from 2008 to 2017 that discuss health and well-being and related topics such as satisfaction, productivity and creativity.
Findings
A conceptual model to analyse impact factors for HWs covers the influence of many different variables. Most papers only discuss a particular influencing factor, mainly plants and indoor climate. Various papers show that the spatial layout, in particular the level of openness and opportunities for communication, concentration and privacy and interior design have an important impact on user satisfaction, perceived productivity support and creativity. These factors may have a positive impact on HWs as well and can also be benefits of HWs.
Practical implications
The paper identifies, which factors are important to consider for creating HWs and potential benefits of HWs.
Originality/value
This paper discusses the role of CREM and FM in creating HWs and reflects on the available knowledge, current omissions and the need for transdisciplinary follow-up research.
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