Associations between Work Resources and Work Ability among Forestry Professionals

Hannu Pursio, Anna Siukola, Minna Savinainen, Hanna Kosonen, Heini Huhtala and Clas-Håkan Nygård
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Hannu Pursio: Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
Anna Siukola: Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
Minna Savinainen: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Työterveyslaitos, 33100 Tampere, Finland
Hanna Kosonen: Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
Heini Huhtala: Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
Clas-Håkan Nygård: Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: Globalization and structural changes in forestry have changed the content and operating practices of timber harvesting. Furthermore, digitization and new forms of work organization have changed work characteristics, requirements and resources. The importance of knowledge and competence, and the management of new technology, are emphasized more. The purpose of this study was to find out how work resource factors are related to the work ability of forest machine entrepreneurs and drivers. The research material was collected in 2018 through an online survey involving 322 professionals in the timber harvesting industry, 87 forest machine entrepreneurs and 235 forest machine drivers. The Mann-Whitney U-test and logistic regression analysis have been used for statistical analysis. Effective work organization and social support from co-workers, as well as the perceived meaningfulness of one’s work, were resources that increased the likelihood of good work ability. Based on our results, good management may enhance work resources, and by developing work it is possible to support employee ability amid the pressures of change inherent to a competitive commercial environment and new forms of work.

Keywords: work resources; work ability; forest industry; timber harvesting; restructuring (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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