HN2020 Work Environment Economics 7.5 credits

Lectures and seminars with theory and practical examples about:

•Central terms and concepts related to business economics, work environment economics and personnel economics

•Work environment economics in practice, workforce analytics, key performance indicators

•Work environment as a production factor, and the effects on operational productivity, efficiency and quality

•The consultative professional; reflecting and arguing for effects of ergonomics from a systems perspective

Project work where a workplace, task or work system is analysed to identify a problem and propose a suitable solution, based on relevant theory and best practice.

The overall course aim is for the students to understand the relation between a good work environment and an organisation's operational and financial performance and results, and how good working conditions can contribute towards employee performance, health and well-being and to sustainability.

After the course, each student shall be able to:

1.In their own words, describe and exemplify central terms and concepts of work environment economics and personnel economics

2.Describe and reflect over methods and models used for analysing the effects of the work environment on an organisation's performance and results.

3.Critically review and assess factors that affects an organisation’s results, and propose and argue for changes and interventions from a financial perspective, based on scientific literature and to reflect upon them from a Human-Technology-Organisation (HTO) perspective.

4.Summarise and present their findings, both orally and in writing, and study, judge and exchange feedback on the project work in a structured way, and reflect on their own development and learning process.

180 university credits (hp) in engineering or natural sciences, and documented proficiency in English corresponding to English B/English 6. 15 credits mathematics or statistics.

Bohgard, M. (ed.) (2009). Work and technology on human terms. Stockholm: Prevent.

Engwall, M., Jerbrant, A., Karlson, B. & Storm, P. (2018). Modern industrial management. (First edition). Lund: Studentlitteratur.

Rose L (2019) Work Environment and Economics. Course compendium in the course HN2020. KTH/Ergonomics.

Additional articles and material, which will be handed out during the course

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• PRO1 - Project, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• ÖVN1 - Exercises, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

PRO1 - Project, 3.0, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

TEN1 - Examination, 3.0, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

ÖVN1 - Exercises, 1.5, grade scale: P, F

Final course grade according to grading scale A-F

Linda Rose

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.