The sociotechnical system approach induced a consistent system thinking into the Scandinavianworking life research. Workers’ social and psychological needs and technical/systemic conditions wereseen as deeply interdependent. However, a distinct field of working environment research, dominatedby individual and psychological perspectives, has developed. Indeed, working life itself has undergonesubstantial transformations. In the shift from first to second modernity (sensu Ulrich Beck), newphenomena (risks) have emerged that challenge workers’ health. This paper discusses the potentialof the sociotechnical approach to inspire the specific field of working environment research. Sociotechnicalideas are concerned about the organizational aspects of the working environment andthis can challenge the dominance of individual and psychology-centred research. However, it is alsonecessary to renew the sociotechniocal tradition from within. We suggest a general process of a reflexivemodernization of sociotechnical ideas and a stronger connection to the ‘double-hermeneutic’as an epistemological outset.
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