Workplace health in wellness – a study of Swedish spa-hotels

Abstract

PurposeIn previous research, quality management practices have been found to be related to better health for employees. Dimensions of health-promoting quality leadership have been defined. The purpose of this study was to identify dimensions of workplace health in the wellness industry and relate them to the dimensions of health-promoting quality leadership.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study involving seven leading spa-hotels in Sweden has been carried out. The first part of the study consisted of quality cafés carried out at each of the hotels. The quality café is a novel method, which has the World Café-method as its basis, combined with quality management techniques. Based on the findings from the quality cafés, an employee survey was developed.FindingsThe findings from the study include a definition of five major health dimensions for the employees, namely, happiness, kinship, respect, physical health conditions and control. The dimensions were found to be statistically consistent and correlated with the self-reported health of the respondents.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are related to health promotion theory and the dimensions of health-promoting quality leadership. A framework for health leadership in the wellness industry is proposed. The study was only carried out in one country.Practical implicationsThe framework and the findings should be useful for managers, particularly in the wellness sector, when designing their operations and health promotion activities.Originality/valueWorkplace health in the wellness sector, which is growing worldwide, is very scarcely researched.