The Role of Corporate Wellness Policy in Developing Intellectual Capital in a Paper Factory

In an Intellectual Capital (IC) framework, the role of a Corporate Wellness Programme (CWP) was studied from a multidisciplinary approach in a paper industry company of 350 employees. In eleven years follow-up setting, the associations of physical activity, smoking, self assessed working ability, perceived health, sick leave days, body mass index, CWP participation activity, company climate, job satisfaction and motivation were studied in respect to the company's CWP-policy. Different standardized questionnaires were utilized in the data collection. Also qualitative methods were applied in evaluating the CWP-policy in relation to IC. In a cross-sectional and follow-up setting, several findings with respect to IC were made regarding physical activity in general and activity in CWP in particular. Findings were relatively strong concerning Human Capital, indicating that health, wellness and work efficiency related indicators are positively associated with physical activity, while other life style patterns were of minor importance. In respect to Structural Capital, activity in CWP showed positive associations with company climate, job satisfaction and job motivation. In the qualitative analysis, the importance of CWP was emphasized both by management and employees. In the paper industry, where the management's and employee's roles are traditionally more or less predetermined, CWP offers a good tool in developing Structural Capital. "Where else could I get to know the workers except in the volleyball field" says the CEO. Overall, CWP was seen to be an integrated part of Structural Capital, in addition to its important role in health promotion. The CWP was built in Case company with persistent management's support and professional inner marketing. With networking activities and fitness events these reflected positively in Case company's Relational Capital. Wellness matters were taken into account in recruitment procedures, which in turn effected on the quality recruits. The results indicate what role corporate wellness policy can have in developing a company's IC.