Search Results (460)

The European Union Council’s zero vision aims to eliminate workplace fatalities, while Industry 4.0 presents new challenges for occupational safety. Despite HR professionals assessing managers’ and employees’ competencies, no system currently exists to evaluate the competencies of workers’ representatives in occupational safety and health (OSH). It is crucial to establish the necessary competencies for these representatives to avoid their selection based on personal bias, ambition, or coercion. The main objective of the study is to identify the competencies and their components required for workers’ representatives in the field of occupational safety and health by following the steps of the DACUM method with the assistance of OSH professionals. First, tasks were identified through semi-structured interviews conducted with eight occupational safety experts. In the second step, a focus group consisting of 34 OSH professionals (2 invited guests and 32 volunteers) determined the competencies and their components necessary to perform those tasks. Finally, the results were validated through an online questionnaire sent to the 32 volunteer participants of the focus group, from which 11 responses (34%) were received. The research categorized the competencies into the following three groups: core competencies (occupational safety and professional knowledge) and distinguishing competencies (personal attributes). Within occupational safety knowledge, 10 components were defined; for professional expertise, 7 components; and for personal attributes, 16 components. Based on the results, it was confirmed that all participants of the tripartite system have an important role in the training and development of workers’ representatives in the field of occupational safety and health. The results indicate that although OSH representation is not yet a priority in Hungary, there is a willingness to collaborate with competent, well-prepared representatives. The study emphasizes the importance of clearly defining and assessing the required competencies. Full article

Background: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) represents an important public health challenge, especially among education workers, whose intense routine can negatively impact eating habits. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with the regular consumption of UPF among employees of the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education (RFEPCT) in Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, carried out with 1563 education workers. Validated instruments on eating habits (PeNSE), mental health (DASS-21) and quality of life (WHOQOL-bref) were used. The regular consumption of UPF was defined as intake on ≥5 days in the last seven days. The association between the regular consumption of UPF and sociodemographic, occupational, behavioral, mental health and quality of life variables was assessed by Poisson regression with robust variance, generating adjusted prevalence ratios (PRadj) and respective 95% confidence intervals. Results: The regular consumption of UPF was associated mainly with female gender, a lower age group, Southeast and Midwest regions, dissatisfaction with sleep and the body, physical inactivity and poor sleep quality. In addition, the findings suggested a significant relationship between the worst stress scores and soft drinks (PRadj: 2.11; CI: 1.43–3.13), anxiety and soft drinks (PRadj: 1.83; CI: 1.24–2.70) and depression and industrialized/ultra-processed salty foods (PRadj: 2.43; CI: 1.82–3.26). The same was observed in the scores for the worst perception of quality of life, where there was a prevalence of up to 2.32 in the psychological domain and the consumption of industrialized/ultra-processed salty foods. Conclusions: The findings indicate that multiple interrelated factors—individual, psychosocial and occupational—are associated with the consumption of UPF among education workers. These results reinforce the importance of institutional policies that integrate actions to promote dietary health, mental health care and improved working conditions in the education sector. Full article

This study explores the emergent dynamics of knowledge sovereignty within organisations following data breach incidents. Using qualitative analysis based on Benoit’s image restoration theory, this study shows that employees do more than relay official messages—they actively shape information governance after a cyberattack. Employees adapt Benoit’s response strategies (denial, evasion of responsibility, reducing offensiveness, corrective action, and mortification) based on how authentic they perceive the organisation’s response, their identification with the company, and their sense of fairness in crisis management. This investigation substantively extends extant crisis communication theory by showing how knowledge sovereignty is shaped through negotiation, as employees manage their dual role as breach victims and organisational representatives. The findings suggest that employees are key actors in post-breach information governance, and that their authentic engagement is critical to organisational recovery after cybersecurity incidents. Full article

Solid biomass (agro-residue) is the most important source of renewable energy. The accelerating impacts of climate change and global population growth contribute to air pollution through the use of fossil fuels. These processes increase the demand for energy. The European Union has adopted a climate action plan to address the above challenges. The main aim of this study was to assess the economic performance of the producers of biomass for energy generation in Poland. The detailed objectives were to determine land resources in the studied agricultural farms and to determine the value of fixed and current assets in the analyzed farms. We used questionnaires as the main method to collect data. Purposive sampling was used to choose the farms. We conducted various tests to analyze the revenues from biomass sales and their normality, such as the Dornik–Hansen test, the Shapiro–Wilk test, the Liliefors test, and the Jargue–Berra statistical test. Moreover, we conducted regression analysis to find factors that are the basis for the economic performance (incomes) of farms that sell biomass. Results: This study demonstrated that biomass sales had a minor impact on the performance of agricultural farms, but they enabled farmers to maintain their position on the market. The economic analysis was carried out on a representative group of Polish agricultural farms, taking into account fixed and current assets, land use, production structure, and employment. The findings indicate that a higher income from biomass sales was generally associated with better economic results per farm and per employee, although not always per hectare of land. This suggests that capital intensity and strategic resource management play a crucial role in the profitability of bioenergy-oriented agricultural production. Conclusions: We concluded that biomass sales had a negligible influence on farm income. But a small income from biomass sales could affect a farm’s economic viability. Full article

This study examines the awareness and implementation of Circular Economy (CE) principles within Chile’s mining sector, which represents the world’s leading copper producer. We employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative semi-structured interviews, to evaluate perceptions and implementation levels of CE practices across diverse organizational contexts. Our findings reveal a pronounced knowledge gap: while 73.3% of mining professionals reported familiarity with CE concepts, only 57.3% could provide accurate definitions. State-owned mining companies demonstrated substantially higher CE implementation rates, with 36.5% participating in eco-industrial collaborations and 51% conducting environmental audits, compared to their private counterparts. Small enterprises (1–100 employees) exhibited particularly limited engagement, as demonstrated by 71.8% lacking established sustainability reporting mechanisms. A considerable implementation gap was also identified; although 94.8% of respondents considered CE principles integral to business ethics and 89.6% recognized CE as essential for securing a social license to operate, only 20.8% reported that their organizations maintained dedicated CE units. The research presents actionable recommendations for policymakers, including targeted financial incentives and training programs for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in mining services, the establishment of standardized CE performance metrics for the sector, and the integration of CE principles into strategic management education to accelerate sustainable transformation within Chile’s critical mining industry. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between architectural attributes of workspaces and employee satisfaction, situating its inquiry within the broader context of post-pandemic hybrid work models and the evolving understanding of territoriality in organizational environments. Drawing on the social production of space and the multidimensional framework of Quality of Work Life (QWL), this research employs a quantitative, questionnaire-based methodology across three diverse corporate settings in Belgrade, Serbia. A total of 124 participants took part in the survey, representing the logistics (Fercam), IT (UBConnect), and healthcare (Medigroup) sectors. The survey integrates validated instruments—the Workspace Characteristics Scale (WCS) and the Workspace Satisfaction Scale (WSS)—to assess the impact of 12 variables and spatial features, reflecting functional, sensory, and sociological dimensions. Multiple regression analyses reveal that aesthetics, flexibility, and a sense of belonging consistently emerge as significant predictors of workspace satisfaction, with sector-specific variations observed across the cases. Notably, the findings underscore the importance of aligning spatial design with organizational values and user expectations while also highlighting the nuanced roles of sociological and psychological dimensions. The results offer practical relevance for architects and interior designers, providing insights into how design strategies tailored to user needs and sector-specific cultures can foster more effective workplace environments. This study concludes that evidence-based, multidimensional design strategies are essential for fostering well-being and productivity in contemporary work environments, demonstrating the value of aligning design with user expectations to enhance organizational outcomes. It recommends further research into the interplay between flexibility and belonging as determinants of workplace satisfaction. Full article

Micro-enterprises are vital to the European economy, including in Croatia, where they make over 88% of the total number of businesses. Despite their significance, they face substantial energy vulnerability due to factors like small size, limited financial resources, and high energy costs. This paper investigates the determinants of energy vulnerability among Croatian micro-enterprises, employing a survey of 470 micro-enterprises. The study covers firms across all Croatian NUTS2 regions and ensures geographic and sectoral representativeness. Key findings reveal that enterprises with higher energy expenditures relative to revenue are most susceptible to energy vulnerability, which is aligned with our assumption. On the other hand, businesses that own their premises, have more employees, and have been operational longer are more likely to invest in energy efficiency measures, thereby reducing vulnerability. Notably, a significant proportion of micro-enterprises report that energy costs adversely affect their household finances, highlighting the nature of business and personal economic stability. The paper underscores the need for targeted policies and support mechanisms to enhance the energy-related resilience of micro-enterprises, considering their unique structural and financial constraints. Full article

The rising global burden of chronic diseases and cancer in the workplace has intensified the need for accessible, rapid diagnostic strategies within workplace settings. Point-of-care testing (POCT) offers a decentralized solution, providing timely diagnostic insights without the need for centralized laboratory facilities. In the workplace, POCT offers significant advantages for early detection and management of cancer and chronic diseases, improving employee health outcomes and reducing absenteeism. Concurrently, the development of digital health passports has created secure, dynamic platforms for managing and sharing personal health data. This review explores the technological innovations underpinning POCT, examines its application in workplace health screening, and analyzes how integration with the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital health passports can enhance early detection and chronic disease management. The discussion extends to the ethical, regulatory and practical challenges associated with implementation. Furthermore, emerging trends such as artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics, blockchain-enabled data security and wearable biosensors are considered as potential future directions. Together, POCT and digital health passports represent a significant evolution towards proactive, personalized workplace healthcare systems. Full article

Sleep behaviors, particularly midday rest periods, represent an often overlooked yet potentially significant factor in workplace attitudes and experiences. Despite their common practice in many cultures, the relationship between these restorative breaks and employees’ evaluations of their work environment remains underexplored in organizational research. This study investigates this relationship using longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), applying the work, non-work, and sleep framework (WNSF) as our theoretical foundation. Through a quasi-natural experimental approach, we discovered that midday rest periods positively influence workplace evaluations, but in a nuanced manner. Our findings reveal a pronounced inverted U-shaped relationship, suggesting that both insufficient and excessive duration of these breaks might diminish their benefits, while optimal duration maximizes positive outcomes. We strengthened these conclusions through rigorous methodological approaches including instrumental variable techniques, sensitivity analysis, treatment effect models, and matching models. The consistency of results across multiple analytical approaches corroborates our findings. This research both validates and extends the WNSF, highlighting the importance of strategic rest periods in organizational settings and offering practical insights for workplace policy development that can benefit both individuals and organizations in contemporary work environments. Full article

The inclusion of people with hearing impairments in logistics environments is a topic of increasing importance, especially when considering the promotion of diversity and accessibility in the workplace. The use of a risk perception questionnaire can represent an effective tool to identify barriers and challenges faced by these workers. The questionnaire covers several aspects, including communication between employees, the adequacy of visual signage, workplace safety and the accessibility of tools and equipment. The responses collected help to understand how people with hearing impairments perceive the risks inherent in their work activities, as well as to identify possible deficiencies in the training and awareness of their coworkers. Analysis of the data collected by the questionnaire allows companies to develop specific strategies and actions to improve inclusion, such as inclusive training, adaptation of the physical environment and implementation of auxiliary technologies. In this way, these actions not only contribute to a safer and more productive work environment, but also value diversity and the unique contribution that each worker can make to the logistics sector. Full article

Background/Objectives: The workplace represents an ideal context for applying policies to foster a healthy lifestyle, guaranteeing advantages both to the individual and the company. Nevertheless, motivation to change one’s lifestyle remains an issue. This study aimed to determine subjects’ most valued intentions toward lifestyle changes and the target actions to improve lifestyles that they would be willing to invest in economically, information which might help design effective intervention programs. Methods: Classification trees were applied to 2762 employees/ex-employees (55.09 ± 13.80 years; 1107 females and 1655 males) of several Italian companies who voluntarily filled out an anonymous questionnaire on lifestyles (inquiring about, e.g., exercise, nutrition, smoking, and stress) to unveil specific subject typologies that are more likely associated with, e.g., manifesting a specific intention toward lifestyle changes and choosing the two most popular target actions resulting from the survey. Results: The main lifestyle aspect that respondents desired to improve was to become more physically active, and the most preferred tools chosen to improve their lifestyle were the possibility of having a medical specialist consultant to prescribe a tailored lifestyle program and buying a gym/swimming pool membership. Conclusions: This observational study might help tailor worksite health promotion and insurance services offered to employees, initiatives that may play an important role in fostering health/well-being and preventing chronic diseases in the more general population, especially in healthy or young subjects who are more prone to change their behavior if immediate benefits are seen instead of only advantages in the future. Full article

As global challenges escalate—economic shocks, environmental issues, and evolving work expectations—the four-day workweek (4DWW) is gaining traction as a sustainable and viable alternative. This study investigates the transition from a traditional 5-day workweek to a 4DWW in the context of private companies in the Baltic States, supplemented by the insights from informal interviews with 17 representatives across Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia and an in-depth case study of a Latvian wholesale company. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates document analysis, structured interviews, and quantitative assessment of key performance indicators over an 8-year period. The findings elucidate the phased transition process, detailing the multifaceted challenges encountered at individual, operational, and strategic levels. The study evaluates the impact of the 4DWW on organizational productivity, employee well-being, and environmental outcomes. Results indicate that, while the 4DWW can sustain or enhance operational efficiency and substantially improve work-life balance and stress reduction, these benefits are not uniformly observed across all economic sectors. This paper not only advances the literature on workweek restructuring by clarifying the algorithm for transitioning to a 4DWW but also underscores its potential as a sustainable business practice. The results offer valuable decision-making insights for private companies considering similar transitions, while also highlighting the need for context-specific strategies and policy support—including relevant legislative frameworks in the Baltic region—to ensure successful implementation. Full article

This study investigates the impact of human resource management (HRM) practices—specifically planning, recruitment, training, and motivation—on dimensions of career quality (job security, promotion equity, and participatory decision-making) among employees of the Jordan Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO). Utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 173 employees, allowing for an in-depth exploration of their perceptions and experiences regarding HRM practices. The findings reveal that both training and motivation significantly enhance career quality, with employees who receive advanced training reporting a stronger sense of job security and an increased likelihood to participate in decision-making processes. In contrast, the effects of recruitment and planning practices were found to be marginal due to perceived biases and strategies that fail to adequately address the long-term needs of the workforce. Despite moderate overall career quality scores, key areas for improvement were identified, particularly in job security and employee involvement. This study offers actionable recommendations for JEDCO, such as implementing AI-driven recruitment tools to mitigate nepotism and developing gamified training modules to enhance skill development. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of integrating HRM reforms into Jordan’s National Energy Strategy, thereby supporting Sustainable Development Goal 8. This research represents the first empirical examination linking HRM practices to career quality in Jordan’s energy sector, offering a framework applicable to public utilities in emerging economies (e.g., Lebanon’s EDL). This research extends Social Exchange Theory into non-Western hierarchical contexts, demonstrating how bureaucratic inertia and tribal affiliations weaken reciprocity dynamics—a novel boundary condition contrasting Western-centric SET models. Full article

This study explores employees’ perceptions of the Office of the Premier in the North West regarding their level of organizational commitment. Using questionnaires to collect qualitative data, a sample of 214 employees, ranging from entry-level to senior management, from the Office of the Premier in the North West Province were gathered. Data were analyzed using SPSS 2011 software. The overall findings show that younger respondents aged 25–34 had an emotional connection to the organization, which aligns with the existing literature. Furthermore, this age group indicated that one of the primary reasons for continuing to work in their department was that leaving would require considerable personal sacrifice, showing that the more committed the employee becomes, the lower the chance of them leaving. Notably, the empirical evidence further reveals that female employees were less likely than male employees to talk openly about their organization. Gender being a factor for employees talking openly about the organization implies that the management must pay attention to gender dynamics across all levels of the organization and ensure that gender representativeness is achieved. This study significantly contributes to the literature on organizational commitment by providing pertinent information regarding organizational commitment based on age, gender, and tenure. Full article

Background: Burnout represented a significant employee problem during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experiencing the psychological flow investigated by Csikszentmihalyi might avoid it. Yet, COVID-19 may have contributed to the unattainability of psychological flow for burnout-prone employees. The objective of this study is to determine the COVID-19 achievability of employee flow and, if attained, whether flow resulted in burnout avoidance during the pandemic. Method: This scoping review includes searches of six primary databases (CINAHL, OVID, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), two searches of one supplementary database (Google Scholar), and one register (Cochrane COVID-19 register) of the keywords “burnout, COVID-19, employees, healthcare providers, psychological flow, Csikszentmihalyi”. Included are peer-reviewed, COVID-19-related, 2020–2025 journal publications. Excluded are duplicates, non-COVID-19-related publications, reports lacking a research study, keywords, or relevant information. Results: In identifying 754 records, five records met the inclusion criteria. Mental healthcare practitioners, nurses, gig workers, corporate professionals, and working parents were the focus of the studies. Quantitative studies showed statistical significance. Qualitative studies showed promise for psychological flow mitigating burnout. Conclusions: Psychological flow was possible during COVID-19 for various employee types, and attaining it permitted burnout avoidance, suggesting a focus on achieving flow in the workplace during pandemics would diminish the incidence of employee burnout. Full article