Mobile health applications: Do employees find them useful?

Mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression have become the leading causes of sickness absence in Sweden, significantly impacting both individual well-being and company productivity. As the production industry faces increasing pressure from rapid technological advances in Industry 4.0, employees are expected to continually learn and adapt, which can exacerbate stress and mental health issues. Despite companies' investments in employee health, there is a lack of understanding about the effectiveness of various human resource management activities on employee well-being. This study explores the potential of digital health applications, specifically those incorporating gamification, to enhance employee well-being in the production industry. The research utilizes a qualitative case study approach, inductively analyzing employee experiences with a digital application inspired by gamification, which includes gamified features to encourage health-related behaviors. Gamification can motivate employees to engage in health-promoting activities by offering rewards for participation. Findings suggest that while such applications can increase motivation and participation, their full potential is hindered by limited social interaction features and the need for more consistent updates and team-based activities. The study highlights the importance of meaningfulness, comprehensibility, and manageability in digital health applications to effectively support employee well-being.