Research challenges arising from changes in worklife (original) (raw)

1999, Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health

The global macro-trends of work life, such as globalization of economies, introduction of new technologies, 24-h economy, increased speed and pace of communication, growing time pressure and psychological stress, and mentally demanding work affect drastically also the conditions of work. They are shifting the perspectives and challenges to research on occupational health, safety, occupational hygiene, and other fields of health and safety. The growing dynamics of change, internationalization, short-term work contracts, mobility of workforce , growing role of the service sector, and working in contact with clients, changes in work organization and company structure (merging, downsizing, splitting) all result in breakdown and fragmentation of previously stable continuity typical for traditional industrial settings.