The perception of using wearables for occupational health and well-being: Affecting factors and the role of the organisation

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Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Perustieteiden korkeakoulu | Master's thesis

Date

2022-12-13

Department

Major/Subject

Information Networks

Mcode

SCI3047

Degree programme

Master’s Programme in Information Networks

Language

en

Pages

82 + 7

Series

Abstract

Over the past years, wearable technologies have become more and more popular in the consumer market, especially in promoting healthy lifestyles through tracking and monitoring daily activity. The literature highlighted the potential benefits of using wearables to improve workplace health and well-being. However, there is a lack of qualitative research on factors that influence employees’ attitudes and acceptance toward this application. This thesis aims to extend the knowledge on influencing factors of adoption intention among employees toward wearables programs for health improvement. The study was conducted using a mixed-method approach with a screening survey and in-depth interviews with employees. The unified theory of the acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) in combination with perceived characteristics from innovation diffusion theory (IDT) provided the research model for the study. The findings revealed that the main concerning factors were largely related to the ambivalence between beneficial values and breach of privacy when adopting work-sponsored wearables. Secondly, a supporting model for introducing wearables in occupational health programs was formulated. Thirdly, the organization’s readiness both practically and ethically for handling health data should be addressed when introducing wearables programs.

Description

Supervisor

Jääskeläinen, Mikko

Thesis advisor

Jääskeläinen, Mikko

Keywords

health and fitness wearables, employee perception, adoption intention, occupational health, mix method

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