(in German)

This report presents the concepts, methods and results of the research project “Evaluation of the operational application of the INQA-company check "Good Small and medium enterprise (SMEs)" The project (project number: F 2481) was funded by the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAUA) and carried out between December 2020 and October 2023.

The INQA-company check was developed for SMEs as part of the New Quality of Work Initiative (INQA). It covers different topics referring to business management and occupational health topics. Entrepreneurs of SMEs can use the check to assess and shape the management and the quality of work in their company themselves and to improve work practices. The check is therefore designed to be easily applicable. Organizations can either use the check to self-assess their work quality and needs or to administer it with support of a consultant.

Aim of the research project was to evaluate the application of the INQA-company check in SMEs. The project consisted of two studies. Thereby, two application patterns were differentiated, i.e. with or without advice by a consultant. 100 SMEs participated in study 1. After a 6-month intervention period, they were surveyed online (study 1). Although the target number of 200 SMEs was not achieved despite intensive acquisition efforts, 174 companies ultimately took part in the project; 71 SMEs participated without advice by a consultant and 103 SMEs participated supported by a professional consultant.

In study 1 participants were recruited for study 2. In the second study participants were interviewed about the use of the check in their company. Aim was to get a better understanding of the results of study 1 and their meaning. In the second study, 6 SMEs took part without and 6 SMEs with consultancy support.

Three impact levels were defined in order to measure the effects of the INQA-company check: Impact level 1 "Raising awareness of the focus topics of the check", impact level 2 "Use of the check to analyse the focus topics and needs for action in the company", impact level 3 "Derivation and implementation of measures based on the analysis results". A total of 88 SMEs (= 51%) reached impact level 3: 26 SMEs without advice and 62 with advice. Study 1 results show that companies have made changes and noticed improvements in both application patterns.

The companies worked differently with the check depending on the support of a consultant the AM (result of study 2): Companies without advice dealt with the check more intensively and involved their employees more. However, if companies were not supported by a consultant, the transition from the analysis stage (implication level 2) to the measure implementation stage (implication level 3) was often not possible. In the SMEs supported by a consultant, some of the companies were not intensively involved and trained by the consultant in the use of the check. This means, the consultant used the check to analyse the current situation asking the entrepreneurs selected questions. However, although the companies derived measures and reached impact level 3, they were not always familiar with the check and its focus topics in general.

Employee involvement and the active commitment of those responsible for carrying out the check proved to be success factors in the check application in the company. Participating companies rated content and use of the check overwhelmingly positive and would recommend it to other organizations. However, the check and its application with or without consultancy advice should be further developed to ensure that more SMEs use it in the future and to minimize barriers that may lead to drop-outs.

Please download the complete report "Evaluation of the operational application of the INQA company check 'Good medium-sized businesses - success is no coincidence'" (in German only).