Peter Hoonakker

The Relation between Job Characteristics and Quality of Working Life: The Role of Task Identity to Explain Gender and Job Type Differences:

Women are largely underrepresented in the Information Technology (IT) workforce. Our study examines the factors related to the work environment that may contribute to the high turnover of women in the IT workforce. The literature links Quality of Working Life (QWL) to turnover intention, and turnover intention to turnover. In this study, we conducted secondary data analysis of questionnaire data collected from a sample of 1,110 employees of a single organization. We examined the impact of gender and job type (i.e. IT job versus non-IT job) on various indicators of QWL, as well as on the relationship between job factors and QWL. The results show that, specifically for women in IT jobs, task identity is highly associated with QWL.

Total Quality Management and Teamwork in the Public Sector: The Wisconsin Department of Revenue Study

In this study, survey questionnaire data was collected on employees perception of Total Quality Management (TQM). A total of 1278 employees of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue participated in the study. TQM implementation and teamwork can both have positive and negative effects on job design and psychosocial factors, and therefore, on quality of working life. Results showed that teamwork in the context of TQM had positive impact on several job and organizational characteristics and job satisfaction, but also some negative impact on work pressure and job strain. Further research is necessary to understand whether these effects are actually caused by working as a team.

Intervention Research for Reducing Musculoskeletal Injuries

One longitudinal intervention study was conducted at a government agency to examine the effectiveness of a macroergonomic approach for implementing work organization interventions aimed at reducing musculoskeletal injuries. The intervention used a variety of methods, including worker participation, job enrichment, and teamwork to achieve a successful implementation. In this paper, results are presented on the questionnaire data. Results show the importance of psychosocial work factors, such as group characteristics and concerns for job future.

Advancing safety in construction: an organizational, systemic, and cultural approach

This panel will focus on addressing the current challenges of the construction industry within the context of Macroergonomics field research. Organizational, systemic and cultural strategies to overcome these challenges will be described. A brief introduction focusing on the unique characteristics of the construction industry and how they relate to the macroergonomics approach will be provided followed by a comprehensive overview of the breadth of the problem. Panelists will highlight successful projects or approaches related to cultural issues, immigrant and aging workforce, training effectiveness and safety culture that have a great potential to enhance safety and health in the construction industry.

Quality of Working Life among Women and Minorities in the Information Technology Workforce: A Pilot Study:

In this paper we present preliminary results of a pilot study aimed at assessing a questionnaire survey on quality of working life and diversity in the Information Technology Workforce.

Participatory Ergonomics and Macroergonomic Organizational Questionnaire Surveys

In this paper we describe a participatory ergonomics framework and we show how macroergonomic organizational questionnaire surveys can be used within this framework to support and sustain worker participation in the identification of ergonomic problems and solutions and the implementation of change. An example is presented of how the participatory ergonomics conceptual framework is implemented in a work organization intervention study.