scholarly journals Quantified factory worker: field study of a web application supporting work well-being and productivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Päivi Heikkilä ◽  
Anita Honka ◽  
Eija Kaasinen ◽  
Kaisa Väänänen
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Knowledge Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Production Data ◽  
Automated Manufacturing ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Mental Load ◽  
Machine Operators

AbstractThe work on the factory floor is gradually changing to resemble knowledge work due to highly automated manufacturing machines. In the increasingly automated work environment, the machine operator’s task is to keep the production running and to solve possible problems quickly. This work is expected to become more autonomous, which raises the importance of supporting the workers’ well-being. An important aspect of that is giving concrete feedback of success at work as well as feedback on physical and mental load. We implemented a smartphone optimized web application, Worker Feedback Dashboard that offers feedback to machine operators about their well-being at work and personally relevant production data as well as their connections to each other. The feedback is personal and based on objective, near real-time measurements. We present the results of a field study, in which ten machine operators used the application for 2–3 months. We studied the operators’ user experience, usage activity, perceived benefits and concerns for the application with questionnaires, interviews and application log data. The operators found the feedback interesting and beneficial, and used the application actively. The perceived benefits indicate impacts on well-being as well as on work performance. Based on the results, we highlight three design implications for quantified worker applications: presenting meaningful overviews, providing guidance to act based on the feedback and refraining from too pervasive quantification not to narrow down the meaningful aspects in one’s work.

SmartWoW – constructing a tool for knowledge work performance analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miikka Palvalin ◽  
Maiju Vuolle ◽  
Aki Jääskeläinen ◽  
Harri Laihonen ◽  
Antti Lönnqvist
Keyword(s):  
Work Performance ◽  
Knowledge Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Work Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
New Ways Of Working ◽  
Novel Approach

Purpose – New Ways of Working (NewWoW) refers to a novel approach for improving the performance of knowledge work. The purpose of this paper is to seek innovative solutions concerning facilities, information technology tools and work practices in order to be able to “work smarter, not harder.” In order to develop work practices toward the NewWoW mode there is a need for an analytical management tool that would help assess the status of the organization’s current work practices and demonstrate the impacts of development initiatives. This paper introduces such a tool. Design/methodology/approach – Constructive research approach was chosen to guide the development of the Smart ways of working (SmartWoW) tool. The tool was designed on the basis of previous knowledge work performance literature as well as on interviews in two knowledge-intensive organizations. The usefulness of the tool was verified by applying it in four organizations. Findings – SmartWoW is a compact questionnaire tool for analyzing and measuring knowledge work at the individual level. The questionnaire consists of four areas: work environment, personal work practices, well-being at work and productivity. As SmartWoW is a standardized tool its results are comparable between organizations. Research limitations/implications – SmartWoW was designed a pragmatic managerial tool. It is considered possible that it can be valuable as a research instrument as well but the current limited amount of collected data does not yet facilitate determining its usefulness from that perspective. Originality/value – This paper makes a contribution to the existing literature on knowledge work measurement and management by introducing an analytical tool which takes into account the NewWoW perspective.

scholarly journals Effects of a cognitive ergonomics workplace intervention (CogErg) on cognitive strain and well-being: a cluster-randomized controlled trial. A study protocol

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Virpi Kalakoski ◽  
Sanna Selinheimo ◽  
Teppo Valtonen ◽  
Jarno Turunen ◽  
Sari Käpykangas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Knowledge Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Ergonomics ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Abstract Background Cognitively straining conditions such as disruptions, interruptions, and information overload are related to impaired task performance and diminished well-being at work. It is therefore essential that we reduce their harmful consequences to individual employees and organizations. Our intervention study implements practices for managing the cognitive strain typical to office work tasks and working conditions in offices. We will examine the effects of a cognitive ergonomics intervention on working conditions, workflow, well-being, and productivity. Methods/design The study is a stratified cluster randomized trial. The clusters are work units, for example, teams or offices. The four participating organizations entered a total of 36 clusters, and we invited all 1169 knowledge employees of these units to participate. We randomly allocated the clusters into an intervention group (cognitive ergonomics) or an active control group (recovery supporting). We invited an additional 471 participants to join a passive control group only for baseline and follow-up measurements, with no intervention. The study consists of a baseline survey and interviews and observations at the workplace, followed by an intervention. It starts with a workshop defining the specific actions for the intervention implementation stage, during which we send task reminder questionnaires to all employees to support behaviour change at the individual and team levels. The primary outcome measure is perceived frequency of cognitive strain from working conditions; the secondary outcome measures include subjective cognitive load, well-being, workflow/productivity, and cognitive stress symptoms. Process evaluation uses the quantitative and qualitative data obtained during the implementation and evaluation phases. The baseline measurements, intervention phase, and end-of-treatment measurements are now complete, and follow-up will continue until November 2019. Discussion There is a need to expand the research of cognitive strain, which poses a considerable risk to work performance and employee well-being in cognitively demanding tasks. Our study will provide new information about factors that contribute to such strain. Most importantly, the results will show which evidence-based cognitive ergonomic practices support work performance in knowledge work, and the project will provide concrete examples of how to improve at work. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03573674. Registered 29 June 2018.

scholarly journals Exposure to mental load and psychosocial risks in kindergarten teachers

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 120-128
Author(s):  
Robert Čecho ◽  
Viera Švihrová ◽  
Dominika Čecho ◽  
Martin Novák ◽  
Henrieta Hudečková
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Stress ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Time Pressure ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Kindergarten Teachers ◽  
Mental Load ◽  
Family Time ◽  
Psychosocial Risks ◽  
University Degree ◽  
Published Research

Abstract Introduction Published research studies in Central Europe have been mostly oriented toward occupational stress among schoolteachers. The aim of this study is to investigate the level of occupational stress in kindergarten teachers and to specify psychosocial risks associated with their work. Methods The study was conducted by using a Meister questionnaire and a Psychosocial risk questionnaire. The data collection was obtained from kindergarten teachers in 2017. The survey link with request was sent to participants via email. A total 287 questionnaires from 67 kindergarten schools were collected. Results 192 (66.9%) teachers perceived their work as mentally burdensome. Teachers who perceived their work as mentally non-burdening were more likely to report autonomy in their work (p=0.001), fair performance evaluation (p=0.010), sufficient family time (p=0.005), a health-protected workplace (p=0.000) and absence of violence and bullying (p=0.042). Teachers with a university degree perceiving work as mentally burdensome reported that their work was not adequately assessed (p=0.034). Teachers over 45 years of age with school practice of over 20 years reported injustice in evaluating work performance against younger colleagues (p=0.000). Conclusion Kindergarten teachers reported overloading, time pressure, and high responsibility, but considered their work interesting. However, changing the way teachers work in schools can reduce teacher resignation and improve teachers’ well-being.

Office acoustics: Analyzing reverberation time and subjective evaluation

1999 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-80
Author(s):  
Helmut Strasser ◽  
Kristina Gruen ◽  
Werner Koch
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cost Utility ◽  
Acceptance Rate ◽  
Reverberation Time

Members of the design department in a medium-sized company were complaining to the management about the acoustic situation in new offices which adversely affected their personal well-being and their work performance. Therefore, a field study was conducted to analyze and evaluate the acoustic working conditions in the new offices and to develop improvements where necessary. Objective criteria for the evaluation of communication disturbances during meetings or telephone conversations were obtained by measuring the reverberation time in several offices. Questionnaires with unipolar or bipolar 4-step scales allowed a differentiated judgement of the current acoustic situation and its effects on the person or individual. Improvements of the acoustics were developed and cost-utility prognoses were made. The proposed solutions and their prospective acceptance rate among the employees were assessed before they were implemented.

Temporal Interval and the Estimation of the Reliability of Work Performance Data

1987 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 791-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
William W. Rambo ◽  
Anna M. Chomiak ◽  
Richard J. Rountree
Keyword(s):  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Production Data ◽  
Reliability Estimate ◽  
Temporal Dimension ◽  
Sewing Machine ◽  
Reliability Estimates ◽  
Machine Operators ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

The stability of estimates of test-retest reliability was studied in a situation in which the interval separating observation periods was permitted to vary. Weekly production data were collected from 24 women sewing-machine operators, and 16 women in folding and packaging jobs. Correlations between performance periods were assembled into arrays each containing weeks separated by a fixed interval, K. The variability of the distribution of coefficients, Sr, was determined for each value of K, and the regression of S r on K was found to fit the general form Sr = K/( a + bK) for each group. Most of the increase in Sr occurred between the interval K = 1 to 25, and subsequent analyses yielded no significant relationship between the presence of aberrant reliability estimates and the time separating observation periods. Both magnitude of the reliability estimate and the accuracy with which the estimate is made vary as a function of the temporal dimension of the test-retest design.

Multi-dimensional Individual Work Performance: Predictors and Mediators

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rostiana Rostiana ◽  
Daniel Lie
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Psychological Empowerment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Individual Work ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Perceived Organisational Support ◽  
The Relationship

Objective - Individual work performance (IWP) has been researched time and time again in the past few decades. Interestingly enough, existing research on IWP focuses mainly on the area of work production and lacks an in-depth holistic understanding of IWP and other interrelated work behaviours. In this study, IWP is explored in the context of a multidimensional construct that includes the dimensions of task, contextual, and counterproductive behaviours. The purpose of this research is to investigate whether the three variables of work engagement (WE), psychological empowerment (PE), and subjective well-being (SWB) mediate and correlate with the relationship between perceived organisational support (POS) and IWP. Methodology/Technique - 780 employees from 4 organisations in Jakarta were selected to participate in this study. The respondents were tasked with responding to five questionnaires including (1) IWP of Koopmans, (2) POS of Eisenberger, (3) SWB of Diener, (4) WE of Baker and Schaufeli, (5) PE of Spreitzer. The data was analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings - The results show that the proposed structural model aligns with the empirical data [X2 (0, N = 780) = 0, p = 1.000; RMSEA=.000]. This research concludes that the relationship between POS and IWP is best mediated by either WE, PE or SWB. Among the three mediators, WE plays the greatest role in mediating the relationship between POS and IWP. Novelty - These findings expand on previous research on the weak relationship between POS and IWP. Type of Paper - Empirical. Keywords: Individual Work Performance; Perceived Organizational Support; Psychological Empowerment; Subjective Well-being; Work Engagement. JEL Classification: L20, L25, L29.

Engaging leadership in the job demands-resources model

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 446-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilmar B. Schaufeli
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Organizational Outcomes ◽  
Job Resources ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to integrate leadership into the job demands-resources (JD-R) model. Based on self-determination theory, it was argued that engaging leaders who inspire, strengthen, and connect their followers would reduce employee’s levels of burnout and increase their levels of work engagement. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was conducted among a representative sample of the Dutch workforce (n=1,213) and the research model was tested using structural equation modeling. Findings – It appeared that leadership only had an indirect effect on burnout and engagement – via job demands and job resources – but not a direct effect. Moreover, leadership also had a direct relationship with organizational outcomes such as employability, performance, and commitment. Research limitations/implications – The study used a cross-sectional design and all variables were based on self-reports. Hence, results should be replicated in a longitudinal study and using more objective measures (e.g. for work performance). Practical implications – Since engaged leaders, who inspire, strengthen, and connect their followers, provide a work context in which employees thrive, organizations are well advised to promote engaging leadership. Social implications – Leadership seems to be a crucial factor which has an indirect impact – via job demands and job resources – on employee well-being. Originality/value – The study demonstrates that engaging leadership can be integrated into the JD-R framework.

scholarly journals Worker Perspectives on Incorporating Artificial Intelligence into Office Workspaces: Implications for the Future of Office Work

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1690
Author(s):  
Yoko E. Fukumura ◽  
Julie McLaughlin Gray ◽  
Gale M. Lucas ◽  
Burcin Becerik-Gerber ◽  
Shawn C. Roll
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Office Worker ◽  
Office Work ◽  
Worker Performance ◽  
Workplace Environments ◽  
Learning Capabilities ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Group Interviews

Workplace environments have a significant impact on worker performance, health, and well-being. With machine learning capabilities, artificial intelligence (AI) can be developed to automate individualized adjustments to work environments (e.g., lighting, temperature) and to facilitate healthier worker behaviors (e.g., posture). Worker perspectives on incorporating AI into office workspaces are largely unexplored. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore office workers’ views on including AI in their office workspace. Six focus group interviews with a total of 45 participants were conducted. Interview questions were designed to generate discussion on benefits, challenges, and pragmatic considerations for incorporating AI into office settings. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an iterative approach. Two primary constructs emerged. First, participants shared perspectives related to preferences and concerns regarding communication and interactions with the technology. Second, numerous conversations highlighted the dualistic nature of a system that collects large amounts of data; that is, the potential benefits for behavior change to improve health and the pitfalls of trust and privacy. Across both constructs, there was an overarching discussion related to the intersections of AI with the complexity of work performance. Numerous thoughts were shared relative to future AI solutions that could enhance the office workplace. This study’s findings indicate that the acceptability of AI in the workplace is complex and dependent upon the benefits outweighing the potential detriments. Office worker needs are complex and diverse, and AI systems should aim to accommodate individual needs.

scholarly journals Six Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Working from Home in Europe during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1826
Author(s):  
Christine Ipsen ◽  
Marc van Veldhoven ◽  
Kathrin Kirchner ◽  
John Paulin Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Differential Impact ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Negative Experience ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Working From Home ◽  
And Performance

The number of people working from home (WFH) increased radically during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate people’s experiences of WFH during the pandemic and to identify the main factors of advantages and disadvantages of WFH. Data from 29 European countries on the experiences of knowledge workers (N = 5748) WFH during the early stages of lockdown (11 March to 8 May 2020) were collected. A factor analysis showed the overall distribution of people’s experiences and how the advantages and disadvantages of WFH during the early weeks of the pandemic can be grouped into six key factors. The results indicated that most people had a more positive rather than negative experience of WFH during lockdown. Three factors represent the main advantages of WFH: (i) work–life balance, (ii) improved work efficiency and (iii) greater work control. The main disadvantages were (iv) home office constraints, (v) work uncertainties and (vi) inadequate tools. Comparing gender, number of children at home, age and managers versus employees in relation to these factors provided insights into the differential impact of WFH on people’s lives. The factors help organisations understand where action is most needed to safeguard both performance and well-being. As the data were collected amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we recommend further studies to validate the six factors and investigate their importance for well-being and performance in knowledge work.

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