Assessment of Work Conditions in a Production Enterprise—A Case Study

Abstract

A commonly used strategy in production enterprises is the idea of sustainable development. For an idea to be effectively implemented, it is essential to have competent and well-informed staff. This condition is necessary, but not sufficient. Still, the introduction of changes in the enterprise—including rational management of resources, as well as fair distribution of benefits and social development—requires acceptance on the part of employees. The implementation of this idea entails the need to introduce organizational changes, new technologies and innovative products. Currently, this direction in development is gradually beginning to determine the competitiveness of an enterprise. The present article discusses the results of a questionnaire survey in one production enterprise; the survey aimed at assessing work conditions. The research results were to show how the current changes related to the idea of sustainable development being implemented in this enterprise are assessed by the employees in the production sector. The obtained results are also to serve as a basis for developing a strategy for introducing further changes in this enterprise. The quantitative research included an evaluation of 24 research variables, which were divided into nine thematic groups relevant to work conditions in the enterprise. The research covered three basic groups of factors: work characteristics, human resource management policies and the social context of work. A global assessment of the enterprise’s performance was also undertaken. The research therefore focused on the practical aspects of the activity carried out by the enterprise. The results obtained should provide a basis for assessing the potential for introducing innovative solutions in line with the idea of sustainable development as well as improvements in human resource management. This basis is also particularly important for implementing such solutions in the enterprise which are in line with changes related to the concept of Industry 4.0.