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Examining the Complex Interaction Among Technological Innovation, Company Performance, and Occupational Safety and Health: A Mixed-Methods Study

Author

Listed:
  • Gaia Vitrano

    (Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Guido J. L. Micheli

    (Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Francesca Marazzini

    (Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Valeria Panio

    (Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Angelo Castaldo

    (Department of Juridical and Economic Studies, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy)

  • Alessia Marrocco

    (Department of Juridical and Economic Studies, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy)

  • Stefano Signorini

    (Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for the Insurance of Work-Related Injuries (INAIL), 00144 Roma, Italy)

  • Alessandro Marinaccio

    (Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for the Insurance of Work-Related Injuries (INAIL), 00144 Roma, Italy)

Abstract

Technological innovation and Industry 5.0 are gaining increasing attention among researchers as they offer companies a significant competitive advantage. On the other hand, introducing these technologies also brings new risks for workers. The current literature reveals a lack of studies that effectively integrate occupational safety and health (OSH) within this emerging technological context and analyse the impacts of their use. This study aims to explore how companies interact with macro-level interventions that promote technological innovation and to understand their impact on different dimensions of company performance, including aspects related to OSH. Based on the existing literature, a research framework is presented that identifies the stakeholders involved, the inputs facilitating their interaction, and the cascading effects and changes. A mixed-methods approach was adopted by employing an in-depth survey with 89 companies responding and composed of both open-ended questions, to capture rich, qualitative insights, and multiple-choice questions, to gather quantifiable data. Two change levels have been identified: general changes and specific changes related to OSH. The analysis also delved into the main drivers and barriers that lead companies to engage with technological improvements and the multiple changes these interventions generate across company dimensions.

Suggested Citation

  • Gaia Vitrano & Guido J. L. Micheli & Francesca Marazzini & Valeria Panio & Angelo Castaldo & Alessia Marrocco & Stefano Signorini & Alessandro Marinaccio, 2024. "Examining the Complex Interaction Among Technological Innovation, Company Performance, and Occupational Safety and Health: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(10), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:10:p:1368-:d:1500218
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Radicic, Dragana & Petković, Saša, 2023. "Impact of digitalization on technological innovations in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    2. Vanessa Manni & Diego De Merich & Giuseppe Campo, 2023. "Management Approaches to Health and Safety at Work during Prevention Intervention Planning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(24), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Emily J. Haas & Emanuele Cauda, 2022. "Using Core Elements of Health and Safety Management Systems to Support Worker Well-Being during Technology Integration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-17, October.
    4. D’Este, Pablo & Iammarino, Simona & Savona, Maria & von Tunzelmann, Nick, 2012. "What hampers innovation? Revealed barriers versus deterring barriers," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(2), pages 482-488.
    5. Guido J. L. Micheli & Enrico Cagno & Antonio Calabrese, 2018. "The Transition from Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Interventions to OSH Outcomes: An Empirical Analysis of Mechanisms and Contextual Factors within Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-22, July.
    6. Bamberger, Michael & Tarsilla, Michele & Hesse-Biber, Sharlene, 2016. "Why so many “rigorous” evaluations fail to identify unintended consequences of development programs: How mixed methods can contribute," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 155-162.
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