Abstract
ABSTRACTThis study explores the potential for more sustainable patterns of travel by mobile health professionals. It also explores the relationships between their travel for work and their modal choices in commuting and private travel. It uses as a case study a health trust in the UK that introduced a pioneering scheme involving the use of electric bikes and pool cars designed to reduce the use of employees' own vehicles for work travel. Using self-categorization theory, it explores the role of work group social norms in explaining the differential take-up of the scheme. The study used an online survey completed by 306 staff, telephone interviews, a focus group, and analysis of carbon emissions. The main alternative to private car use was cycling, used by 15% of staff. Several operational constraints were identified, but the differences in participation were also strongly related to work group cultures. Local managers embodying prototypical norms exerted a significant influence on the work groups that had embraced the scheme. A focus group with a team using electric bikes found evidence of increased staff motivation, and benefits to client groups, due to strengthened in-group social identity. The findings suggest considerable potential for modal shift in the travel of mobile health professionals in urban areas.
Highlights
Introduction and AimsStudies of mobile workers in developed countries have tended to focus on commercial or managerial ‘business travellers’
This study set out to explore the potential for more sustainable travel amongst a hitherto littleresearched group: mobile health professionals
Many of the findings would be applicable to other groups of mobile workers required to visit people in their homes in urban areas
Summary
Introduction and AimsStudies of mobile workers in developed countries have tended to focus on commercial or managerial ‘business travellers’. Other types of mobile employee have been largely overlooked. This study focusses on one type of mobile employee which is almost entirely absent from the literature: health care professionals. In a context where most developed countries will be experiencing ageing populations over the coming decades, visits by healthcare professionals to the homes of clients are likely to generate a growing frequency of trips. Most of this travel is currently done by car with a single occupant: the employee. This study explores the potential for more sustainable patterns of travel by mobile health professionals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
