scholarly journals Process Evaluation of an Operational-Level Job Stress Intervention Aimed at Decreasing Sickness Absence among Public Sector Employees in Sweden

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Severin ◽  
Lisa Björk ◽  
Linda Corin ◽  
Ingibjörg H. Jonsdottir ◽  
Magnus Akerstrom
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Job Stress ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Environmental Challenges ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Operational Level ◽  
Stress Intervention

Work-related sickness absence carries large societal costs, and interventions aimed at decreasing sickness absence need to be performed in an effective way. This study evaluated the implementation process of an operational-level job stress intervention, implemented between 2017 and 2018 in the public sector, by assessing the extent to which the allocated resources reached the intended target group, if the planned measures could be expected to address the relevant work environmental challenges, and if the planned measures were implemented. Data were collected from applications for funding in the intervention (n = 154), structured interviews (n = 20), and register data on sickness absence (n = 2912) and working conditions (n = 1477). Thematic analysis was used to classify the level of the work environmental challenges, the level and perspective of the suggested measures, and the “measure-to-challenge correspondence”. Overall, participating workplaces (n = 71) had both higher sickness absence (p = 0.01) and worse reported working conditions compared to their corresponding reference groups. A measure-to-challenge correspondence was seen in 42% of the measures, and individual-level measures were mostly suggested for organisational-level work environment challenges. Almost all planned measures (94%) were ultimately implemented. When performing operational-level interventions, managers and their human resource partners need support in designing measures that address the work environmental challenges at their workplace.

scholarly journals Can Working Conditions and Employees’ Mental Health Be Improved via Job Stress Interventions Designed and Implemented by Line Managers and Human Resources on an Operational Level?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Akerstrom ◽  
Linda Corin ◽  
Jonathan Severin ◽  
Ingibjörg H. Jonsdottir ◽  
Lisa Björk
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Employee Turnover ◽  
Reference Groups ◽  
Intervention Effect ◽  
Intervention Effects ◽  
Line Managers ◽  
Operational Level ◽  
Organisational Level

Organisational-level interventions are recommended for decreasing sickness absence, but knowledge of the optimal design and implementation of such interventions is scarce. We collected data on working conditions, motivation, health, employee turnover, and sickness absence among participants in a large-scale organisational-level intervention comprising measures designed and implemented by line managers and their human resources partners (i.e., operational-level). Information regarding the process, including the implementation of measures, was retrieved from a separate process evaluation, and the intervention effects were investigated using mixed-effects models. Data from reference groups were used to separate the intervention effect from the effects of other concurrent changes at the workplace. Overall, working conditions and motivation improved during the study for both the intervention and reference groups, but an intervention effect was only seen for two of 13 evaluated survey items: clearness of objectives (p = 0.02) and motivation (p = 0.06). No changes were seen in employees’ perceived health, and there were no overall intervention effects on employee turnover or sickness absence. When using operational-level workplace interventions to improve working conditions and employees’ health, efforts must be made to achieve a high measure-to-challenge correspondence; that is, the implemented measures must be a good match to the problems that they are intended to address.

scholarly journals Decide Madrid: A Critical Analysis of an Award-Winning e-Participation Initiative

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Royo ◽  
Vicente Pina ◽  
Jaime Garcia-Rayado
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
City Council ◽  
Democratic Participation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Award Winning

This paper analyzes the award-winning e-participation initiative of the city council of Madrid, Decide Madrid, to identify the critical success factors and the main barriers that are conditioning its performance. An exploratory case study is used as a research technique, including desk research and semi-structured interviews. The analysis distinguishes contextual, organizational and individual level factors; it considers whether the factors or barriers are more related to the information and communication technology (ICT) component, public sector context or democratic participation; it also differentiates among the different stages of the development of the initiative. Results show that individual and organizational factors related to the public sector context and democratic participation are the most relevant success factors. The high expectations of citizens explain the high levels of participation in the initial stages of Decide Madrid. However, the lack of transparency and poor functioning of some of its participatory activities (organizational factors related to the ICT and democratic dimensions) are negatively affecting its performance. The software created for this platform, Consul, has been adopted or it is in the process of being implemented in more than 100 institutions in 33 countries. Therefore, the findings of this research can potentially be useful to improve the performance and sustainability of e-participation platforms worldwide.

scholarly journals Co-Creating and Evaluating an App-Based Well-Being Intervention: The HOW (Healthier Outcomes at Work) Social Work Project

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 8730
Author(s):  
Jermaine M Ravalier ◽  
Elaine Wainwright ◽  
Nina Smyth ◽  
Oliver Clabburn ◽  
Paulina Wegrzynek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
The Uk

Stress and mental health at work are the leading causes of long-term sickness absence in the UK, with chronically poor working conditions impacting employee physiological and psychological health. Social workers play a significant part in the fabric of UK society, but have one of the most stressful occupations in the country. The aim of this project was to work with UK social workers to co-develop, implement, and evaluate a series of smartphone-based mental health initiatives. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, consisting of semi-structured interviews and focus group and steering group discussions, was utilized to design the mental health and well-being interventions. Study efficacy was evaluated via a pre- and post-intervention survey and post-intervention semi-structured interviews. Interventions developed were psycho-educational, improved top-down and bottom-up communication, and provided access to a Vocational Rehabilitation Assistant for those struggling and at risk of sickness absence. Six months following dissemination, surveys demonstrated significant improvements in communication, and mean score improvements in four other working conditions. This project, therefore, demonstrates that co-developed initiatives can be positively impactful, despite post-intervention data collection being impacted by COVID-19. Future studies should build upon these findings and broaden the PAR approach nationally while taking a robust approach to evaluation.

Linking DemenTalent to Meeting Centers for people with dementia and their caregivers: a process analysis into facilitators and barriers in 12 Dutch Meeting Centers

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1433-1445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelies van Rijn ◽  
Franka Meiland ◽  
Rose-Marie Dröes
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Process Factors ◽  
Inclusive Society

ABSTRACTObjectives:There have been relatively few interventions on an individual level to support community-dwelling people with dementia to continue to fulfill their potential in society. This study investigated the implementation of DemenTalent, an intervention in which people with dementia become active as volunteers in society based on their talents. The intervention was linked to existing Meeting Centers for people with dementia and their informal caregivers.Method:We conducted a qualitative multiple case study. Semi-structured interviews regarding experienced facilitators and barriers were conducted with 22 key figures/stakeholders in 12 Meeting Centers during the preparation, starting and continuation phases of the implementation of DemenTalent.Results:Several influencing factors were found on a micro level (e.g. Public Relations, training, management involvement), meso level (e.g. finances, collaborating with others) and macro level (e.g. laws and regulations, national and regional policy) during the different phases of the implementation process. Factors mentioned by most stakeholders were human and financial resources. Another important factor appeared to be the culture of the region.Conclusion:The insight into facilitating and impeding factors in the implementation of DemenTalent provided by this study will inform and enable other Meeting Centers to adopt a fitting strategy to implement DemenTalent in their own center. This is expected to help disseminate the intervention further, giving more people with dementia the chance to fulfill their potential, find a meaningful and pleasant way of spending their time, and actively participate in society. This will contribute to a more inclusive society and less stigmatization of people with dementia.

scholarly journals Workplace-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation Programs in Swedish Public Human Service Organisations

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stig Vinberg ◽  
Bodil J. Landstad
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Human Service ◽  
Middle Managers ◽  
Employee Health ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Psychosocial Working Conditions ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs

The purpose of this article is to contribute to knowledge about workplace-based prevention and rehabilitation programs by investigating effects on outcomes concerning employee health, psychosocial working conditions, sickness absence, sick-cases and rehabilitation indicators in 19 Swedish public human service workplaces including 311 individuals. Interviews with middle managers and an examination of documentation about prevention and rehabilitation interventions at the workplaces made it possible to group the workplaces in two workplace program groups — high versus low quality workplace-based prevention and rehabilitation programs. Statistical methods used were reliability tests, correlation analyses and t tests. Results indicate significant associations between changes in employee-judged stress and psychosocial working conditions, and changes in employee-judged health. The results concerning changes in employees’ health, stress and psychosocial working conditions (after workplace-based programs) showed significant differences between workplaces with high quality workplace-based programs compared with workplaces with low quality workplace-based programs, with the former having more favourable results. The study indicates that workplace-based prevention and rehabilitation programs with a broad change strategy and high levels of management and employee involvement can apply to small public sector workplaces.

Corporate Social Responsibility Implementation - Lessons from Uganda

10.33117/512 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-69
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Implementation Success ◽  
Success Model ◽  
Strategic Csr ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose: This paper presents aspects of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Implementation Success Model to guide CSR engagements. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative case methodology is used to investigate two CSR companies in Uganda. Semi-structured interviews with managers and stakeholders are conducted. Data triangulation includes reviewing CSR reports and documents, and visiting communities and CSR activities/projects mentioned in the case companies’ reports. Grounded theory guides the data analysis and aggregation. Findings: The findings culminate into a “CSR Implementation Success Model. ” Key aspects of CSR implementation success are identified as: (i) involvement of stakeholders and management (i.e., co-production) at the start and during every stage of CSR implementation; (ii) management of challenges and conflicts arising within/outside of the company itself; and (iii) feedback management or performance assessment—i.e., accountability via CSR communications and reporting. Stakeholder involvement and feedback management (accountability) are pivotal, though all three must be considered equally. Research limitations: The studied companies were large and well-established mature companies, so it is unclear whether newer companies and small and medium-sized enterprises would produce similar findings. Practical implications: Successful CSR implementation starts with a common but strategic understanding of what CSR means to the company. However, CSR implementation should (i) yield benefits that are tangible, and (ii) have a sustainable development impact because these two aspects form implementation benchmarks. Additionally, top management should be involved in CSR implementation, but with clear reasons and means. Originality/value: This paper unearths a CSR Implementation Success Model that amplifies views of “creating shared value” for sustainable development. It guides organizations towards strategic CSR, as opposed to the responsive CSR (returning profits to society) that largely dominates in developing countries. Additionally, it explains how to add value to the resource envelope lubricating the entire CSR implementation process

The Integration of ERM and Strategy: Implications for Corporate Governance

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese R. Viscelli ◽  
Dana R. Hermanson ◽  
Mark S. Beasley
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Boards Of Directors ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Executive Management ◽  
Strategic Direction ◽  
Strategic Value ◽  
Enterprise Risk ◽  
Leadership Structure ◽  
Risk Oversight

SYNOPSIS Since the early 2000s, expectations have increased for organizations to strengthen corporate governance with enterprise risk management (ERM) processes, with the accounting profession playing a major role in these efforts. The ultimate goal of an effective ERM process is to help boards and senior executives to manage risks in the context of strategy so that the organization is more likely to achieve its key objectives. We conduct semi-structured interviews of 15 ERM champions to provide insights about whether the ERM process is integrated with the strategic-planning and execution processes of the firm. We find that while the decision to launch ERM often is based on a desire for ERM to provide strategic value, the integration of ERM with strategy typically is limited. We then examine the ERM implementation process to identify possible ERM implementation practices limiting ERM's integration with strategy. We find that organizations' (1) culture and approach to preparing for ERM's launch, (2) ERM leadership structure, and (3) management of key risks appear to limit the intersection of ERM and strategy. Our summary of key findings highlights important considerations for boards of directors, executive management, and auditors as they assess the effectiveness of their risk oversight efforts in overseeing the strategic direction of the enterprise.

scholarly journals Regulation EU 2017/745 on medical devices – implementation analysis in Portugal by the distributors

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Vilaça
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Study Implementation ◽  
Implementation Analysis

Abstract The Regulation responds to legislation failures in the European regulatory framework on medical devices (MD), which in turn led to public health issues. Two media scandals triggered the final actions on the elaboration of this EU Regulation, which was already being thought off in a context of fast MD development, and on the commitment of member-states to harmonize legislation in order to better manage resources. This Regulation is expected to address detected gaps, and contribute to the protection of European citizens' health by ensuring high quality and safety of MD, through advocating for more transparency, vigilance, and traceability. A technique to evaluate policies is the implementation analysis, as it links theory and practice. By understanding it, it is possible to ascertain if, in fact, the Regulation will contribute, as proposed, to improve public health. The implementation analysis framework I developed can be used in other countries affected by this Regulation, and may even be extrapolated to other scenarios. Entry into force 25/05/17.Full application 05/20. This qualitative study uses document analysis and semi-structured interviews to collect data, and literature review to frame the situation and to study implementation analysis. The questions are: identify the facilitators and resistance points of the implementation; explore perceptions of the Portuguese MD distributors; understand the policy implementation pathway; and have a picture of the implementation status in Portugal. The results can be summarized as: implementers are interested in complying with the Regulation; there is stakeholder involvement in policy making and throughout the implementation process; the main points of resistance, difficulties and the facilitators are identified; and the Regulation is being implemented according to the timelines. The public health action brought by the policy is that each economic operator is an active actor on vigilance and patient safety across MD lifecycle. Key messages If we are interested in the extent to which a particular polity is able to solve the problems with which it is confronted, we need to study the way in which the law is executed in practice. Focus on the effective implementation of the new regulatory framework on medical devices to protect patients and ensure it addresses new and emerging challenges.

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