Are We Ready for Self-Quantifying and Preventive Health Behavior at Work? Exploring Employees’ Types and Engagement

Abstract

The boundaries between life and work become blurred, and new work patterns are very demanding for employees. Future work environments should consider employees’ health and pay more attention to digital interventions for preventive health and well-being at work. Accordingly, this study focuses on identifying employees’ needs and triggers to engage in self-quantifying at work. To assess this objective, we develop employees’ types based on survey data and cluster analysis. Our empirical results emphasize that the open-minded improvers are willing to engage and that they are not susceptible at all, while the conscious pragmatists value the perceived usefulness and autonomy of self-quantifying at work. The vigilant hesitaters might be triggered by social comparison. Our research provides a new perspective on engagement in self-quantifying, and insights for preventive health behavior, healthy employees, and well-being in future work environments. These results offer starting points for meaningful work to stay employable and productive.