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Towards sustainable well-being in SMEs through the web-based learning program of ergonomics

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Abstract

Promoting well-being at work in the context of sustainable development is a complex and dynamic issue. To enhance sustainable well-being at work, organizational learning (OL) is one requirement. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the characteristics of the learning program of the ergonomics ‘the Ergonetti’ that promote sustainable well-being at work implemented in the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The data was gathered through individual thematic interviews of 14 students who participated in the study and carried out the learning tasks in 10 different SMEs. The data was analyzed using inductive content analysis in the frame of sustainable well-being at work and organizational learning. The characteristics of the learning program of ergonomics that promoted sustainable well-being at work related to the categories describing worker’s individual capabilities and competence, work organization and environment, and leadership. The results suggest that, in the light of promoting sustainable well-being at work the learning program of ergonomics may be considered an efficient and straightforward distance learning program accessible through the Internet. In addition, sustainable well-being at work through learning is rarely being in focus of occupational health research.

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Acknowledgements

The Academy of Finland and The Finnish Work Environment Fund have funded this study. Heidi Antila carried out the editing of English language.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine, Group of Ergonomics, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Marja Randelin & Veikko Louhevaara

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Terhi Saaranen

  3. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 93, 70701, Kuopio, Finland

    Paula Naumanen

  4. University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    Paula Naumanen

Authors
  1. Marja Randelin
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  2. Terhi Saaranen
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  3. Paula Naumanen
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  4. Veikko Louhevaara
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Correspondence to Marja Randelin.

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Randelin, M., Saaranen, T., Naumanen, P. et al. Towards sustainable well-being in SMEs through the web-based learning program of ergonomics. Educ Inf Technol 18, 95–111 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-011-9177-5

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