Learning for better safety : A case study of a large industry company’s learning organisation and how a stronger learning organisation can improve safety.

Sammanfattning: This thesis aims to examine the learning organisation with regard to safety within Stora Enso’s division Packaging Solutions. This aims to identify areas where improvements can be made and provide suggestions on how to achieve this. The study also explores whether an improved learning organisation leads to better safety and productivity. The thesis covers five factories across three countries and involves the conducting of eight interviews with safety managers and production engineers. The data collected is analysed using thematic analysis and triangulated with answers from the operators via an anonymous survey regarding the safety work and with document analysis. The thematic analysis is based on five main components: Personal Mastery, Team Learning, Mental Models, Shared Vision, and System Thinking. Within these, 26 sub-themes that describe Packaging Solutions' learning organisation have been identified and analysed inductively. The analysis reveals the learning organisation of Packaging Solutions' strengths and weaknesses. The main weakness identified is a need for more proactive communication, though there is a strong desire to improve collaboration, a well-established vision, and high competence. To address these issues, recommendations are made to improve knowledge sharing and communication between and inside the mills. The thesis indicates that a strong learning organisation also leads to stronger safety culture, as key aspects of a strong safety culture, such as psychological safety, knowledge sharing, and good leadership, are also important within a learning organisation. Additionally, knowledge sharing and proactivity are essential for productivity, making a strong learning organisation beneficial for both safety and productivity.