Int. J. Management and Enterprise Development, Vol. 6, No. 4, 2009 465 Copyright © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Productivity improvement: impacts from Quality of Work Life Kongkiti Phusavat*, Pornthep Anussornnitisarn and Bordin Rassameethes Department of Industrial Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand E-mail: fengkkp@ku.ac.th E-mail: fengpta@ku.ac.th E-mail: fbusbdr@ku.ac.th *Corresponding author Pekka Kess Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, PO Box 4610, FI-90014, Finland E-mail: pekka.kess@oulu.fi Abstract: The research examines the characteristics of the impacts from Quality of Work Life (QWL) on productivity. This study takes place at one manufacturer, the Bangkok Interfood Company Limited (BIF) in Thailand. Initially, several ratios representing both productivity and QWL are developed. Afterwards, quantitative data is collected over the period of 13 months. Primary techniques used for this study include the Multi-Criteria Performance/Productivity Measurement Technique (MCPMT), and statistical and mathematical models. The MCPMT helps combine information from all ratios into one dimensionless scale – the overall levels of both QWL and productivity. Then, the liner and quadratic models are applied to gain insights on how QWL influences productivity. The results illustrate positive impacts from QWL on productivity. Furthermore, based on the findings from a non- linear model, the impacts from QWL appear to be diminishing at the beginning before a more accelerated pace later. These imply the need for a company’s top management to be patient with QWL. Finally, the limitations and future research are discussed. Keywords: competitiveness; enterprise development; productivity; QWL; Quality of Work Life. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Phusavat, K., Anussornnitisarn, P., Rassameethes, B. and Kess, P. (2009) ‘Productivity improvement: impacts from Quality of Work Life’, Int. J. Management and Enterprise Development, Vol. 6, No. 4, pp.465–478.