EVALUATION OF WORKING LIFE QUALITY FOR A TEXTILE COMPANY IN TURKEY: A CASE STUDY

The main objective of this study, the quality of working life and current working conditions were analyzed in a large Turkish textile factory of cutting and sewing branch. Thus, the possible improvements can be determined for quality of working life. A survey is used on the workers/personnel in cutting and sewing workshops. Working environment and conditions from different viewpoints such as physical and psychological, environmental system design, education, ergonomics, occupational health, and job safety should be analyzed. The quality of working life can be increased by using of new technologies, improving of physical working environment and doing some preventive applications.
Keywords:

-,

___

  • Solmus, T., “The Quality and a Program to Improve Quality in Working Life” Turkish Psychology Bulletin, 18, (2000).
  • Huse, E.F. and Thomas, G.C., “Organization Development and Change” 3rd ed., USA West Publishing Company, (1985).
  • Halis, M., “The Factors Effecting Customer Satisfaction in Total Quality Applications and an Application” PhD. Thesis, Cumhuriyet Univ., Sivas, Turkey, (1998).
  • Buchanan, D. A., and Boddy, D., “Advanced Technology and the Quality of Working Life: The Effects of Word Processing On Video Typists” Journal of Occupational Psychology, 55, 1-11, (1982).
  • Mehta, V., and Shah, H., “Characteristics of a Work Organization from a Lean Perspective”. Engineering Management Journal, 17 (2), 14 – 20, (2005).
  • Westkämper, E., Niemann, J. and Dauensteiner, A., “Economic and Ecological Aspects in Product Life Cycle Evaluation” Proc. Instn. Mech. Engineers, 215, 673-681, (2001).
  • Ingelgard, A., and Norrgren, F., “Effects of Change Strategy and Top-Management Involvement on Quality of Working Life and Economic Results” International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 27, 93-105, (2001).
  • Zink, K. J., “Ergonomics in the Past and the Future: From A German Perspective to an International One” Ergonomics, 43(7):920-930, (2000).
  • Takezawa, S., “Improvements in the Quality of Working Life in Three Japanese Industries”, Geneva: International Labour Office, 176, (1982).
  • Cherns, A., “Perspectives on the Quality of Working Life” Journal of Occupational Psycholog, 48:155-167 (1975).
  • Konrad, A. M. and Mangel, R., “The Impact of Work-Life Programs on Firm Productivity” Strategic Management Journal, 21, 1225–1237 (2000).
  • Cheng, Y., Guo, Y.-L., and Yeh, W-.Y., “A national survey of psychosocial hob stressors and their implications for health among working people in Taiwan” International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 74, 495-504 (2001).
  • Ikuma, L. H., Babski-Reeves, K., and Nussbaum, M. A., “Experimental manipulation of psychosocial exposure and questionnaire sensitivity in a simulated manufacturing setting”, International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 82:735–746 (2009).
  • Wada, K., Arimatsu, M., Yoshikawa, T., Oda, S., Taniguchi, H., Higashi, T., and Aizawa, Y., “Factors on working conditions and prolonged fatigue among physicians in Japan” International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 82, 59-66 (2008).
  • Hall, D.T., and Parker, V.A., “The Role Of Workplace Flexibility In Managing Diversity” Organizational Dynamics, 22(1): 4 – 18 (1993).
  • Ditlevsen, O., “Life Quality Index Revisited” Structural Safety, 26, 443–451 (2004).
  • Shoaf, C., Genaidy, A., and Shell, R., “A Perspective on Work System Analysis: Classification And Evaluation Of Methods” Ergonomics, 41(6): 881-898, (1998).
  • Haley, D., Back, D., and Watern, K. L., “The Balancing Of Work And Life” IEEE Potentials, 0278-6648/05, 22-26 (2005).
  • Pecillo, M., “Application Of Process Management Tools To Improve Organization Performance In Occupational Safety and Health” Proceedings of Quality Of Work and Products In Enterprises of the Future, Ergonomia Verlag, 553-556 (2003).
  • Milczerak, M., “Shaping Safety Culture in a Company and Relationship with Workers Behavior at Work and Outside Work” Proceedings of Quality of Work and Products in Enterprises of the Future, Ergonomia Verlag, 561-564 (2003).
  • Cicek, D., “Motivation and Quality of Working Life in Organizations: A Research Study on Improving Quality of Working Life of Managers of a Public Institution by Determining Levels of Motivation” Ph.D. Thesis, Cukurova Univ., Adana, Turkey (2005).
  • Yucel, A.B., Sutoluk, Z., Tanir, F., and Akbaba, M., “Evaluation of Psychological symptoms of Workers in a Textile Factory” Journal of Engineering and Machine, 46 (543):29-33, (2005).
  • Kandasamy, I., Ancheri, S., “Hotel employees’ expectations of QWL: A qualitative Study” International Journal of Hospitality Management, 28:328–337(2009).
  • Koonmee, K., Singhapakdi, A., Virakul, B., Lee, D.-J., “Ethics institutionalization, quality of work life, and employee job-related outcomes: A survey of human resource managers in Thailand” Journal of Business Research, 63: 20–26 (2010).
  • Internet a: DIN EN 12464-1, http://www.din.de/, (2003).
  • Internet b: DIN EN 614-1, Attachment A; 3- coloured-staged evaluation, http://www.din.de/ , (2006).