This division's aim is to foster a preventative culture within companies. Currently, it is important for the preventative system implemented by the organisation to be co-ordinated with other management systems as this will guarantee the physical and moral integrity of its workers, an effective contribution to the organisation's interests, and the development of a new business culture oriented towards business excellence. The division is specialised in:

- Psycho-social risk factors related to work,
- work organisation systems, and
- work-related mental illnesses.

The IEL carries out a wide variety of activities: scientific research, professional studies, and publishing the knowledge generated.

 

Project Manager: Miriam Díez (ESADE)

Abstract

Over the the last few years,there has been a growing interest in the so-called burnout syndrome given that it is one of the main causes of demotivation, dissatisfaction, and absenteeism among workers. According to the European Commission (1993), around 30% of European workers suffer the physical symptoms arising from stress. Burnout is common among doctors. Among other things, stress at work leads to emotional exhaustion, a lack of professional satisfaction, loss of motivation and work satisfaction.

The foregoing problems lead to a deterioration in the relationship between doctors and  patients, and thus to a decline in the quality of the health ser vices provided.
The project will compare the impact of burnout among doctors worldwide. It will also seek organisational solutions to cut health centre costs arising from health problems at work. The project will also prove useful in drawing up new management models aimed at preventing burnout and at minimising its consequences.

Project Manager: Horia Mohamad Amar

Abstract

Studies into the relationship between work and life in general have generated enormous  interest and debate since the 1960s, and they have resurfaced with greater force in the 21st century due to globalisation and the high pressure on workers and companies to improve their performance.

The lack of theories and conceptual models about the subject has contributed to the lack
of useful information on which companies can base their decision-making in order to plan and implement measures which contribute to the effective and efficient management of their human resources.

The importance of balancing and reconciling work and personal life is an issue of general social concern. Studying the work/life relationship entails researching the factors that give rise to individual satisfaction so as to obtain precise data as to why, how and when we feel completely satisfied with all aspects of our lives - including work satisfaction - and what the circumstances are which prevent us from reaching the much sought after balance between work and personal life. Our research does not stop there, however, and instead will probe deeper into the direct and real impact which any potential imbalance may have on the physical and psychological health of the worker and the harmful consequences it could entail for the organisation.

In line with the above, we are proposing a comprehensive study which enables us to find out what the real expectations and needs of all the company's employees are, so as to be able to base work and personal life reconciliation policies on them and ensure that these policies are as effective as they are efficient. The inability to reconcile professional and personal life has been linked, from the organisational point of view, with decreased per formance at work, higher staff turnover, a fall in morale, an increase in labour conflict and inequalities in work loads. Plus from the individual's point of view it can give rise physical and psychological health problems.
A major contribution of this research lies in its pioneering use of artificial neural  networks in this subject as a way of trying to solve the tradition.