Experts have convened in Lisbon to showcase cutting-edge research in the field of healthcare. Research director Marko Kesti presented a simulation based on artificial intelligence (AI) that has been designed at the University of Lapland. It is used for modelling the impact of management on workplace wellbeing and the economy.
The AI simulation designed by Mr. Kesti’s research group takes into account the theoretical constraints of productivity and the causal connections related to management. In addition, the simulation makes use of game theory, through which it is possible to observe the behaviour of the supervisor: In the simulation the supervisor encounters the problems of the work community, and his/her conduct will define the outcome.
“With the application, supervisors can be instructed to lead in such a way that workplace wellbeing and productivity will flourish, which means in practice that a critical competitive edge will be achieved,” Mr. Kesti notes.
For example, the AI simulation shows that excessive management by results gradually decreases competitiveness. If problems are not processed in the work community especially during transition periods, workplace wellbeing will decrease, time will be wasted, and people will start acting erratically.
“Development consumes working hours, which may decrease the results in the short run. On the other hand, dealing with problems will increase the results and employee wellbeing in the long run. While being tempted to downplay the problems because the management is expecting continuous results, the supervisor therefore has to assess whether the investment in development will eventually pay off and what the optimal solutions are,” Mr. Kesti continues.
According to Marko Kesti, excessive management by results eventually leads to postponing the problems because all the working hours are rather spent on making a profit. This reasoning cumulates and escalates the problems, which decreases competitiveness in the future.
“Strict management by results also incapacitates the community, because knowing that the supervisor is not happy about pointing out problems the employees no longer report them,” Mr. Kesti says.
You can test the AI application by clicking the link below. The user interface is a game-based environment where the supervisor encounters employees in practical situations and is able to solve problems applying good HR practices.
http://service.mekiwi.org/playgain/
Further information
Marko Kesti, Research Director
Phone: 040 717 8006
etunimi.sukunimi@ulapland.fi