Industrial Organizational Psychology Report: Workplace at Foxconn

This report provides an analysis of Industrial Organizational Psychology (I/O) principles, focusing on the workplace environment at Foxconn. It examines crucial aspects such as working conditions, including long hours and stress; safety and health, highlighting the need for Occupational Health and Safety Management practices; industrial relations and integration of workers, emphasizing the role of I/O psychologists in fostering a positive organizational culture; and living conditions, addressing issues of forced labor and documentation. The report references several academic sources to support its findings, emphasizing the importance of I/O psychology in addressing workplace challenges and improving employee well-being and organizational effectiveness. The report suggests practical solutions such as training programs and improved documentation procedures to enhance the work environment. It highlights the role of I/O psychologists and HRM specialists in creating a more supportive and productive workplace.

Running head: INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Industrial Organizational Psychology
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Table of contents
1. Working conditions.....................................................................................................................2
2. Safety and health..........................................................................................................................2
3. Industrial relations and integration of workers............................................................................3
4. Living conditions.........................................................................................................................3
References........................................................................................................................................5

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1. Working conditions
The working conditions play a pivotal role in the market growth and sustenance of a
company. The basic problems related to the work environment of Foxconn are longer working
hours, lack of sufficient skills in the employees, communication gaps within the workforce.
However, as argued by Bergman & Jean (2016), the applied problems based on the field of work
are much more complex in nature. These include recruitment, placement, training and
performance measurements. Foxconn have recently faced some of the loopholes related to the
balancing of work related stress due to working for longer hours.
Stress at the place of work is one of the indispensable hazards. It not only affects the job
satisfaction but also has an adverse impact on the health of an employee. In this respect, stress
may arise due to a mismatch between the demand and pressure levied upon the employee and
the ability to cope up with the same. As mentioned by Gereffi & Lee (2016), the Industrial
Organizational (I/O) psychologists can play a crucial role in effective stress management by
providing the employees with the required amount of training.
2. Safety and health
The management of health and safety concerns at the workplace is one of the
distinguishing features of Industrial organisational psychology. As commented by Sanz-Calcedo
et al. (2015), a healthy workforce helps in enhancing the productivity of an organization. For the
purpose of which Occupational health and safety management practices need to be
implemented by Foxconn. Thus, conducting workplace surveys by Foxconn Human resource
managers and I/O psychologists have revealed the lack of organizational frameworks. Thus,

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incorporating health and safety factor (legislation) and regulatory and non-regulatory
frameworks within the organization could prevent injuries and accidents. Some of the important
legislations implemented by the Department of Occupational Safety, Malaysia are
Occupational Health and Safety Act (1994), Factories and Machinery Act (1967).
3. Industrial relations and integration of workers
Industrial organizational culture refers to the study of behaviour depicted by the staff
within an organisational setting. The I/O psychologists play a pivotal role in the integration of
the workers within the organizational culture.
In this respect, conflicting situation often arises in the implementation of revised HRM
policies within an organization. As commented by Santos et al. (2013), collectively bargained
agreements and resistance offered by existing labour forces often possess hindrances in
achieving the desired outcome. The Foxconn group of companies need to maintain clear and
transparent integration process within the workforce by bringing about a mutual consent within
the workforce. However, lack of consent regarding organizational policies within the HRM
and the workforce of Foxconn has resulted in major hindrances.
4. Living conditions
The current Malaysian electronic market has seen the problem of forced labour. In this
context, many of the employees had to reportedly pay an exorbitant amount of fees for getting
into electronic companies and were stuck without proper documents.
Foxconn has been a long time contributor in the Malaysian electronics market in terms of
providing affordable electronic products. However, the Foxconn group of companies lack

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proper documentation procedures for the absorption of its employees. The HRM and the I/O
specialists can apply survival theories for providing the employees with more space and
freedom within the organisation. This helps in preserving a positive organizational culture and
maximizes the productivity of the workforce.

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References
Bergman, M. E., & Jean, V. A. (2016). Where have all the "workers" gone? A critical analysis of
the unrepresentativeness of our samples relative to the labour market in the industrial–
organizational psychology literature. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 9(1), 84-
113.
Earle, T. (2016). THE USE OF HYPNOSIS AS AN ADJUNCT TO COGNITIVE--
BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY IN TREATMENT OF PROBLEM GAMBLING
DEVELOPED AS STRESS MANAGEMENT FOLLOWING A WORKPLACE
INJURY. Australian Journal of Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis, 41(1).
Gereffi, G., & Lee, J. (2016). Economic and social upgrading in global value chains and
industrial clusters: Why governance matters. Journal of Business Ethics, 133(1), 25-38.
Guzzo, R. A., Fink, A. A., King, E., Tonidandel, S., & Landis, R. S. (2015). Big data
recommendations for industrial–organizational psychology. Industrial and
Organizational Psychology, 8(4), 491-508.
Jacobs, S., Johnson, S., & Hassell, K. (2017). Managing workplace stress in community
pharmacy organisations: lessons from a review of the wider stress management and
prevention literature. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice.
Santos, G., Barros, S., Mendes, F., & Lopes, N. (2013). The main benefits associated with health
and safety management systems certification in Portuguese small and medium enterprises
post quality management system certification. Safety Science, 51(1), 29-36.

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Sanz-Calcedo, J. G., González, A. G., López, O., Salgado, D. R., Cambero, I., & Herrera, J. M.
(2015). Analysis on integrated management of the quality, environment and safety on the
industrial projects. Procedia Engineering, 132, 140-145.
Wagner, I., & Lillie, N. (2014). European integration and the disembedding of labour market
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Yoon, S. J., Lin, H. K., Chen, G., Yi, S., Choi, J., & Rui, Z. (2013). Effect of occupational health
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