Alignment and Organization of International Occupational Health and Safety Management - Case: Foreign Subsidiary of an MNC

The purpose of this study is to explore the organization and management of Occupational health and safety (OHS) in the international setting as there seems to be a gap in the knowledge there. The study aims were to, firstly, explore how aligned a western headquarter (HQ) is with its foreign subsidiary on the expectations for OHS, secondly, comprehensively analyze the drivers for advanced OHS at the subsidiary, and finally, uncover, what is an efficient way to organize international OHS operations at a multinational corporation (MNC). A case study was conducted using qualitative research methodology at a Finland-based consumer goods company with operations in Thailand. The data was collected through one on one interviews with 11 individuals who were selected from different levels of the HQ and the subsidiary. It was analyzed using deductive content analysis. The key findings were that in the international environment, the MNC handles occupational safety management in an aligned and advanced manner which, according to evidence, is best supported by a having a dedicated OHS organization. However, there is significant unharvested potential to improve occupational health management including effective collaboration with the OHS service provider. The corporate values and culture were the strongest drivers for advanced OHS management, followed by compliance with voluntary accountability standards while business performance effects of OHS were found as weak drivers. In conclusion, studying the topic of OHS from a health business management point of view, might give more clarity on the value-adding factors when organizing international OHS. It also has implications for occupational health service providers and can be used for further studying the scope of their work as well as business potential in international OHS