Employers’ Perspectives on Motivations, Barriers, and Effectiveness of Health and Productivity Management in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (October 2025)-Employers’ Perspectives on Motivations, Barriers, and Effectiveness of Health and Productivity Management in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Employers’ Perspectives on Motivations, Barriers, and Effectiveness of Health and Productivity Management in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

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This 2020 cross-sectional study surveyed 1,901 employers from Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) certified as Health and Productivity Management (HPM) Outstanding Organizations to assess their motivations, barriers, and perceived effectiveness in implementing employee health care initiatives. The Certified HPM Recognition program, promoted by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry since 2014, supports strategic management of employee health to improve well-being and business outcomes.<br /><br />Responses revealed that the primary motivation to apply for HPM certification was enhancing the company’s image (70%), followed by expectations of improved recruitment competitiveness (49%). The construction industry uniquely noted bid requirement incentives linked to certification. The largest barrier reported by 64% of employers was difficulty engaging employees in health activities, particularly in larger firms. Other common barriers included challenges handling personal health records (18%), lack of time (17%), and budget constraints (12%). Smaller firms more frequently reported having no barriers.<br /><br />Regarding effectiveness, over half (56%) of employers observed improvements in employee lifestyle and health literacy, while about 40% noted increased employee safety awareness. Additionally, 34% reported enhanced workplace communication, and recruitment competitiveness was seen as a positive business effect by approximately one-third of respondents. However, 43% perceived no noticeable business impact, possibly reflecting the longer time horizons often needed to realize organizational benefits.<br /><br />The study highlights the importance of employer awareness and engagement as critical to successful HPM implementation in SMEs. Addressing employee engagement challenges and emphasizing the alignment of health initiatives with business goals may support broader adoption. Limitations include its cross-sectional design, possible response bias favoring more health-conscious firms, and lack of data on the duration of HPM implementation.<br /><br />Overall, findings suggest that HPM initiatives in SMEs can improve employee health literacy, workplace safety, communication, and recruitment competitiveness. These insights can inform strategies to amplify employer commitment and overcome implementation barriers in small and medium enterprises aiming to advance employee well-being and organizational performance.

Keywords

Health and Productivity Management

HPM Certification

Japanese SMEs

Employee Health Initiatives

Employer Motivation

Implementation Barriers

Employee Engagement

Workplace Safety Awareness

Recruitment Competitiveness

Organizational Performance