Digitalization and SafetyA case study of a large company’s digitalization approach and its impact on occupational health and safety

Abstract: This thesis aims to evaluate the implementation of digital tools in terms of worker and manager experiences and perceptions at Stora Enso Packaging Solutions with respect to safety and where the opportunities for improvement are for these technologies to enhance the workplace safety through an external vantage point. The goal is to identify factors at the design and implementation phase of the digital tools and provide suggestions on improvements. The rapid ascent of digitalization in the workplace poses both remarkable opportunities and considerable challenges, particularly in the realm of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). This study, entitled "Digitalization and Safety," performs a thematic analysis of the current digital operational safety framework within Stora Enso, focusing on the impacts of digitalization on safety measures by. By synthesizing extensive literature reviews with primary data collection methods, this research investigates common OSH challenges related to digitalization and evaluates the feasibility of integrating digital solutions to mitigate associated risks. The thesis covers three mills across three countries and involves the conducting of interviews with safety managers, production engineers, worksite employees, and also at the managerial level with business unit heads. The data is also collected via an anonymous survey regarding the safety work providing a holistic perspective of administrative and production sectors of the company. The data collected is analyzed using thematic analysis to generate various themes. A total of 25 themes were generated. Simultaneously, using the literature available, two theories are selected which are Human Factors Theory and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. The thematic analysis was conducted in a hybrid way, taking a stand in the deductive thematic analysis where the themes were based on the pillars of selected theories but completed with an inductive analysis where a total of 29 factors were found inductively. Findings reveal that while digital tools offer a potential paradigm shift in OSH management, their design and implementation require more attention for the seamless integration of digital tools that can enhance OSH measures without compromising human factors. These range from questions of data validity and generalizability to ethical and logistical concerns. The study concludes by offering multi-faceted recommendations, emphasizing the need for an interdisciplinary approach that puts humans at the center of this digital transformation. Delimitations of the study are also outlined, providing a transparent and nuanced lens through which the research should be interpreted. This study serves as a cornerstone for organizations navigating the intricate landscape of digitalization in OSH, offering both academic scholars and industry professionals an investigative analysis that bridges existing research gaps. It also lays the groundwork for future studies aimed at further unraveling the complexities of integrating digital tools in occupational safety and health environments.