Affiliations: Quality Technology and Management, Mid Sweden
University, Campus Östersund, SE-831 25 Östersund, Sweden | Disability and Rehabilitation Research Unit, Griffith
University, Logan Campus, Brisbane, Australia | Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University,
Östersund, Sweden | Faculty of Health Science, Nord-Trøndelag
University College, Levanger, Norway | Swedish National Institute of Public Health,
Östersund, Sweden
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Johan Larsson, Quality Technology
and Management, Mid Sweden University, Campus Östersund, SE-831 25
Östersund, Sweden. Tel.: +46 703900390; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to develop and test a generic
model for workplace health management in organizations. Four private and four
public organizations in northern Sweden were selected for the study. A model
for health control was developed on the basis of a literature review and
dialogues with the stakeholders in the workplaces. The model was then
implemented at the workplaces during a two-year period. Interviews with leaders
and co-workers were conducted on two occasions and were analyzed using content
analysis and the constant comparison method. By using a grounded theory
approach, three main categories were found: health closure and other health and
working environment indicators, monetary accounting of health related
indicators and changes in leadership behaviour and organizational practices. An
important result was that the model influenced leadership values more than
leadership and organizational methodologies. From the results a model for
workplace health management is proposed, incorporating the planning, control,
and improvement structures. The purpose of the model is to take health aspects
into consideration when deciding organizational structure (work demands,
control and social support). The model controls health by using health-related
indicators with high frequency measuring whereas workplace health promotion is
done in a structured way with a reflective model.
Keywords: Health, health closures, workplace health management, workplace health promotion, sickness absence, human resource accounting, quality control, organizational change, learning organization
