Doing participatory research through coaching and facilitation


The contribution describes phases and tools of a participatory research process, aimed at experimenting a fast and intuitive method for developing organizational wellbeing in an Italian company. It puts into practice the concept of sustainable employability and Amartya Sen's Capabilities approach through coaching and facilitation, which are techniques not yet widespread in the field of social research. Facilitation helps people visualize ideas and visions, goals, action plans and shared decisions taken in a short time; coaching stimulates reflection, awareness and motivation at an individual and group level, helps to clarify objectives and make the action plan detailed, clear and meaningful for everyone. Their adoption in the Health and Safety sector may enhance the diffusion of integrated health promotion programs (WHO, 2010; Niosh, 2016), allowing workers to increase control of health determinant and psychophysical wellbeing.