SIMULA- decision support system for competitiveness with life quality: studies and simulations about enterprises' absenteeism and presenteeism

Abstract

The decrease of absenteeism and presenteeism (A&P) - resulting from poor quality of life, safety and health at work - is a priority for institutions, since they reduce the financial/operational performance and affect the workers and society. Estimates show that the A&P are 10.7% of the production costs, harm to health and pension systems, increase labor disputes. Solutions require organizational architectures that integrate operating performance with quality of work life, demanding knowledge about the interactions between organizational (workload, cognitive tasks challenge, organizational climate, productivity, costs, innovation) and human variables (level of competence, physical and mental health, satisfaction, level of cooperation/internal relations). This project aims to develop a software prototype, SIMULA - that, from computer simulation, will allow to assess financial impacts and subsidies to reduce A&P in organizations and related problems. The project is structured in three methodological interrelated lines, in nine months: 1) Literature review and data collection (group 1); Studies and validation of models (groups 2 and 3); and simulator development (groups 4 and 5). The management of this project will use the practices of the PMBOK/"Project Management Book of Knowledge". Through the various features of SIMULA, it will be made feasible innovative services to support decision-making - with uncertainties and error levels inherent to any simulator - to choice investments/actions with greater range and effectiveness in reducing the A&P and its impact, especially in production, human resources, health and safety at work areas. There will be three categories of service: simulation/study scenarios, cost/benefit analysis of actions and identification/optimization of critical elements. There are two preferred target segments: medium/large companies, business support institutions, such as associations and institutions belonging to CNI and Regional Federations. The identification of demand arises from similar services that INTEGRARE offers to customers of these segments, like SESI-SP/BA/EC, SESI-National, SENAI-SP, ABIMO, Sense, CBC, etc. A third segment is formed by institutions interested in occupational health and minimization of labor problems (private pensions, labor unions, health secretariats, labor courts). It is estimated an increase of R$ 200,000.00 at revenue in the first year and growth of 20% a year over the next five years. The impacts of objectivity and rationality in decision-making, without neglecting the subjectivity featuring, contribute to improve the operational performance of the company; to reduce costs; to improve the quality of work life, with impacts on workers' health; to minimize the negative socioeconomic externalities of business, cutting labor disputes and contributing to improvements at the health and pension systems. The SIMULA is a new concept, using logical architecture and difficult copying models by entrants, because they are based on studies/projects developed in the last five years by the Coordinator of this project (which will take leave of CTI Renato Archer in the beginning of the project activities). Market and literature surveys identified no similar products contemplating the deep integration of human and organizational variables. The trend indicates the use of more complex simulations, like SIMULA, as fundamental to enable competitive organizations to promote the necessary socio-economic development. (AU)