Leader-Based Workplace Health Interventions — A Before–After Study in Norwegian and Swedish Small-Scale Enterprises

Hansen, Elisabeth; Landstad, Bodil J.; Gundersen, Kjell Terje; Vinberg, Stig

doi:10.1017/idm.2016.5

Cited by 11 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(33 reference statements)

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“…The fact that improvements can be seen only for some variables related to push-ups and leg press is consistent with the results from a review [7] showing limited effects with educationally and psychologically focused interventions. The fact that the intervention did not significantly change the trends for several variables in the intervention group, and the limited differences between the two groups, are somewhat in line with a study by Hansen et al [35]. Also in this study, there were limited changes regarding self-reported health outcomes after performed interventions in the same manager groups.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

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Workplace Health Interventions and Physical Fitness Status among Managers of Small-Scale Enterprises in Norway and Sweden

Hansen¹,

Björklund²,

Vinberg³

2016

Health

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Background: The ability of managers of small-scale enterprises (SSEs) to prioritize health, working conditions, and their own physical fitness is an important issue for workplace health promotion in Norway and Sweden, where most owner-manager positions are in SSEs. Aim: To assess the physical fitness status of SSE managers compared to a norm population and to study changes in physical fitness status, self-reported physical activity, and sickness outcomes after workplace health interventions. Methods: The study allocated SSE managers to either an intervention or a reference group. The intervention, over twelve months, consisted of motivational input related to lifestyle and physical activity through tests and feedback, individual support, and courses on health and psychosocial working conditions. The participants (N = 28) completed health screening checks, questionnaires and testing before and after the intervention. Results: SSE managers in the study had positive outcomes for BMI levels and strength compared to the norm population, while percentage of fat for both men and women indicated poor results. There were no further improvements in the intervention group after comparison with the reference group. Separately, both groups seemed to improve strength and body composition. Conclusion: Workplace health interventions with essentially motivational components may increase SSE managers' attention to physical fitness, but appear to have limited effects on objective and subjective physical fitness outcomes.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Also, it is crucial that the managers participate in the intervention components to a high degree [24] [38]. One way of reaching the managers with educational components and training programs can be by company networks [24] [35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workplace Health Interventions and Physical Fitness Status among Managers of Small-Scale Enterprises in Norway and Sweden

Hansen¹,

Björklund²,

Vinberg³

2016

Health

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“…Despite these encouraging findings, other studies have failed to find any positive effects of leadership training on working conditions (Hansen, Landstad, Gunderse, & Vinberg, 2016) and well-being (Elo, Ervasti, Kuosma, & Mattila-Holappa, 2014;Hansen et al, 2016). Nylén, Lindfors, Le Blanc, Aronsson, and Sverke (2018) found that unreasonable tasks increased in the control group, but not in the group of employees whose leaders received the intervention.…”

Section: Leading Well:mentioning

confidence: 93%

Leading well: Challenges to researching leadership in occupational health psychology – and some ways forward

Nielsen

Taris

2019

Work & Stress

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Studies on the effects of leadership in occupational health psychology build on the assumption that leaders influence their followers' health and well-being. Although this assumption has received support, this introductory paper to a special issue of Work & Stress on leadership argues that a number of questions regarding leadership and follower health and well-being remain unanswered. We identify four issues that we argue warrant further attention. First, what is "good" leadership? Particular leadership types are associated with increases in employee performance, but since this will involve higher effort expenditure, adverse outcomes for employee health are to be expected. Although many types of leadership are associated with favourable outcomes, we still need to identify the leadership characteristics can be identified that account for these positive outcomes. Second, how can good leadership be promoted? There is a need to develop interventions that are effective in promoting desirable leadership styles. Third, what are the intermediate and long-term effects of leadership on follower health? Finally, we need to understand the boundary conditions for good leadership, including the resources available to leaders. Based on these considerations, we conclude that further research is needed to fully understand the effects of leadership on employee health and well-being.

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“…The characteristics of SSEs create potential for developing a positive culture at the workplace, which can in turn contribute to improving individual health and organizational performance [29]. In sum, this can create positive health and psychosocial working condition outcomes [30].…”

Section: Workplace Health Management In Small-scale Enterprisesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ambiguity among Managers in Small-Scale Enterprises: How to Handle Business and Workplace Health Management

et al. 2017

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Despite extensive research on health in working life, few studies focus on this issue from the perspective of managers in small-scale enterprises (SSEs). To gain deeper knowledge of managers' perceptions and strategies for dealing with workplace health management, 13 Norwegian and Swedish SSE managers were interviewed after participating in a workplace health development project. The methodical approach was based on Grounded Theory with a constructivist orientation. The main theme that emerged was 'ambiguity in workplace health management and maintaining the business', which was related to the categories 'internal workplace settings', 'workplace surroundings', and 'leadership strategies'. The managers experienced ambiguity due to internal and external demands. These requirements were linked to the core challenges in dealing with multitasking leadership, financial decision-making, labour legislation, staff development and maintaining business. However, the managers developed new skills and competence and thereby a more reflexive approach and readiness to create a health-promoting workplace from being part of a development project. The implications are that managers in SSEs need to exchange experiences and discuss workplace health issues with other managers in networks. It is also important that occupational health services and social and welfare organizations use tailor-made models and strategies for supporting SSEs.

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Leader-Based Workplace Health Interventions — A Before–After Study in Norwegian and Swedish Small-Scale Enterprises

Cited by 11 publications

References 27 publications

Workplace Health Interventions and Physical Fitness Status among Managers of Small-Scale Enterprises in Norway and Sweden

Workplace Health Interventions and Physical Fitness Status among Managers of Small-Scale Enterprises in Norway and Sweden

Leading well: Challenges to researching leadership in occupational health psychology – and some ways forward

Ambiguity among Managers in Small-Scale Enterprises: How to Handle Business and Workplace Health Management

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