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Occupational Medicine 2004;54:115-121
Occupational Medicine, Vol. 54 No. 2 © Society of Occupational Medicine 2004; all rights reserved

Organizational practices, work demands and the well-being of employees: a follow-up study in the metal industry and retail trade

Kaija Tuomi1, Sinikka Vanhala2, Erkki Nykyri1 and Minna Janhonen1

1 Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Helsinki, Finland
2 Helsinki School of Economics, Department of Management, Helsinki, Finland

Background Rapid technological change and increased international competition have changed working life and work organizations. These changes may not be considered when researching employee work ability and well-being.

Aim This study investigates the impact of organizational practices, work demands and individual factors on work ability, organizational commitment and mental well-being of employees in the metal industry and retail trade.

Method A follow-up study was conducted to examine these connections among 1389 employees (mean age 42 years at baseline) in 91 organizations. The first survey was conducted in 1998 and was repeated in 2000.

Results Changes in organizational practices and the demands of work were strongly associated with changes in employee well-being. Work ability, organizational commitment and the mental well-being of employees were increased most if the opportunities for development and influence and the promotion of employee well-being were increased and if the supervisory support and organization of work were improved. Well-being also improved with less uncertainty at work and with decreasing mental and physical work demands. In addition physical exercise and affluence also had favourable effects.

Conclusions The results confirm that several features of organizational practices are strongly associated with employees' well-being. Organizational development is an important method of improving employees' work ability, commitment and well-being.

Keywords      Organizational commitment; organization of work; well-being; work ability

Received        1 April 2003
Accepted        6 October 2003

Correspondence to: Kaija Tuomi, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, FIN-00200 Helsinki, Finland. Tel: +358 9 4747 2403; fax: +358 9 4747 2423; e-mail: kaija.tuomi{at}occuphealth.fi


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