Monitoring of Workplace Health – A Field Experiment

Last registered on January 27, 2025
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Monitoring of Workplace Health – A Field Experiment
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0015050
Initial registration date
January 15, 2025

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
January 17, 2025, 7:13 AM EST

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Last updated
January 27, 2025, 8:04 AM EST

Last updated is the most recent time when changes to the trial's registration were published.

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Primary Investigator

Name
Timo Vogelsang
Affiliation
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Yaxuan Chen
PI Affiliation
Cornell University
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PI Name
Yutong Chen
PI Affiliation
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
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Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2024-01-01
End date
2025-12-31
Keywords
Behavior, Firms & Productivity, Health, Labor
Additional Keywords
Monitoring, Field Experiment, Health, Performance, Satisfaction
JEL code(s)
C93, D91, J24, M41, M54
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
We randomly distribute smartwatches to frontline employees at a Chinese harbor. These smartwatches are designed to monitor and detect potential workplace incidents while also providing both employees and the organization with general daily health indicator data. Our study aims to investigate, using individual productivity metrics and survey data, the extent to which employees perceive this initiative as an act of care versus an act of surveillance. To explore the underlying mechanisms driving these perceptions, we will conduct a comprehensive survey among all employees at the harbor.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Chen, Yaxuan, Yutong Chen and Timo Vogelsang. 2025. "Monitoring of Workplace Health – A Field Experiment ." AEA RCT Registry. January 27. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.15050-2.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Distribution of smartwatches to randomly assigned crane drivers
Intervention Start Date
2025-02-06
Intervention End Date
2025-05-06

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
• Crane drivers productivity
• Survey evidence on, for instance: Perceived Trust, Perceived Care, Employee Satisfaction and Commitment, Attention to Health
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
• Survey evidence on, for instance: employee’s informational use; managers’ informational use
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
Within the terminals of a large Chinese harbor, we will randomly distribute smartwatches among crane drivers.

Treatment Group:
Participants in the treatment group will receive smartwatches, which they are required to wear during the working hours (if they choose to accept them). The smartwatches measure specific health indicators, including location, sleep quality, real-time heart rate, and steps. Importantly, the watch transfers data to the company only when the employee reports to work and is within the company premises.

Control Group:
Participants in the control group will not receive smartwatches.

The Survey:
We will conduct a post-experimental survey. This survey will assess various dimensions, including job satisfaction, organizational commitment, engagement, productivity, leadership, trust, perceived care, and attention to health/health awareness.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
Clustered stratified randomization
Randomization Unit
Team Level
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
16
Sample size: planned number of observations
approx. 82 crane drivers
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
4
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
Ethics Committee of Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
IRB Approval Date
2024-12-12
IRB Approval Number
N/A
Analysis Plan