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Cooperation Between the Employer and Employees in Developing Safety, Health and Well-Being in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

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Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health V

Part of the book series: Studies in Systems, Decision and Control ((SSDC,volume 492))

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Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are major sources of economic activity and employment due to their volume of business. Improving SMEs’ working conditions and the occupational safety, health, and well-being (SHW) of their employees is important for not only businesses but also their employees’ work ability and productivity. SMEs are more often characterised by higher injury rates and severe injury types than large enterprises. They often lack the resources and competence needed to effectively manage and develop SHW. Thus, more research into practices that help SMEs in developing occupational SHW is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the development needs and practical measures for developing SHW in SMEs. The data were collected during company-specific development processes in nine SMEs in which the employers and employees cooperatively created a development plan with an accurate schedule and assigned responsibilities. Several job resources were highlighted, including a positive work climate, support from colleagues and good work-related equipment. The most common development needs were related to communication, community spirit, the flow of information and order and tidiness. Related development activities were suggested. This study emphasises the need for cooperation between employer and employees to enhance SHW, productivity, and organisational performance.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the European Social Fund for funding this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tampere University, Tampere, Finland

    Sari Tappura & Susanna Mattila

  2. Sofigate Oy, Tampere, Finland

    Elli Karttunen

Authors
  1. Sari Tappura
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  2. Susanna Mattila
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  3. Elli Karttunen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sari Tappura .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho, GuimarĂŁes, Portugal

    Pedro M. Arezes

  2. Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Rui B. Melo

  3. Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho, GuimarĂŁes, Portugal

    Paula Carneiro

  4. Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Jacqueline Castelo Branco

  5. School of Engineering, University of Minho, GuimarĂŁes, Portugal

    Ana Colim

  6. Department of Production and Systems School of Engineering, University of Minho, GuimarĂŁes, Portugal

    NĂ©lson Costa

  7. School of Engineering, University of Minho, GuimarĂŁes, Portugal

    Susana Costa

  8. Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Joana Duarte

  9. Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Joana C. Guedes

  10. Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Gonçalo Perestrelo

  11. Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    J. Santos Baptista

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Tappura, S., Mattila, S., Karttunen, E. (2024). Cooperation Between the Employer and Employees in Developing Safety, Health and Well-Being in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. In: Arezes, P.M., et al. Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health V. Studies in Systems, Decision and Control, vol 492. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38277-2_39

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38277-2_39

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