Values of TQM and employee health: an examination and comparison between two manufacturing departments
Paper in proceeding, 2005
This paper investigates the effects of TQM on the employees´perception of their health. A case study has been carried out at a global Swedish manufacturing company. Two different departments where the sick leave varies have been examined. Both qualitative and quantitative methods have been used. Data triangulation has been used in the form of in-depth interviews and focus-group interviews at three levels at the studied company. In earlier studies, the values leadership commitment and participation of everybody have been found to be correlated with employee health. One aim for this study was to elaborate this finding and study what aspects of these values that have this influence on health. The qualitative part resulted in a model identifying four dimensions of importance for the leadership commitment. These were empathy, presence and attendance, integrity and continuity and their meaning are further elaborated. For participation of everybody, development, influence and being informed were found to be underlying dimensions. In addition, a very high correlation was found between all values of TQM and the employees´ perception of their health, which was in line with the earlier findings. Possible factors explaining the diffence in sick leave between the departments were found to be lesser freedom in work, high staff turnover, less qualified work and vicious circles
TQM-values
Health
Leadership commitment
Quality Management
Employee health
Participation of everybody