Title: Application of a sense of coherence-based leadership for productivity and health at Scania

Authors: Bengt Halling; Peter Magnusson; Martin Lyckström; Katarina Wijk

Addresses: Department of Industrial Design, Industrial Management and Mechanical Engineering, University of Gavle, Sweden, Kungsbäcksvägen 47, 801 76 Gävle, Sweden; Division of Ergonomics, Royal Institute of Technology, KTH Flemingsberg, Hälsovägen 11 C, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden ' Scania CV AB, Sandåsavägen 7, 572 36 Oskarshamn, Sweden ' Scania CV AB, Vagnmakarvägen 1, 151 87 Södertälje, Sweden ' Centre for Research and Development, Region Gävleborg, Lasarettsvägen 1, 801 87 Gäv, Sweden; Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Kungsbäcksvägen 47, 801 76 Gävle, Sweden; Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, BMC, Husargatan 3, 751 22 Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract: The purpose was to explore if sense of coherence (SOC) theory can be used in human factors ergonomics (HFE) practice as a leadership approach to decrease the rate of sick leave and rehabilitation cases and increase work attendance among assembly personnel without impeding productivity. Via three studies carried out at the Swedish truck manufacturer Scania, we investigated the company's key performance indicators and documented meetings with managers during the intervention. The results show that SOC can be used in HFE practice and that productivity, quality and attendance at work increased, while rehabilitation cases decreased. Our conclusion is that a health promotion approach among managers is essential in a lean organisation that aims to reduce waste in the company and optimise human capability and thereby productivity. SOC theory can support the creation of workplaces that are high performing and healthy, starting with concerns for the people creating the output.

Keywords: leadership; lean; health promotion; productivity; manufacturing; sense of coherence; SOC; Sweden; workplace; job satisfaction; performance; meaningfulness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2019.102306

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2019 Vol.6 No.2, pp.179 - 194

Received: 04 Feb 2019
Accepted: 25 Jun 2019
Published online: 16 Sep 2019 *