VR training pays off at the warehouse
Normal cuts onboarding time in half with VR
Faster onboarding and happier employees that intend to stay longer with the company. An independent study by Aarhus University shows significant results from VR training at Normal’s warehouse.
New employees at Normal’s warehouse in Hedensted, Denmark, are offered VR training as part of their onboarding. And according to a new study by Aarhus University, it pays off.
The most significant results are centered around the onboarding performance.
New warehouse employees who receive VR training spend 55.7% less time on onboarding activities. On top of cutting the onboarding time in half, new VR trained employees are also 9.1% more satisfied with their onboarding – and more confident. When asked how much more time the employees would like to spend on onboarding, the answer is 53.3% less than their peers not trained in VR.
On top of that they rated their task-related coordination 9.2% better than colleagues not trained in VR.
“These results are even better than what we expected to see. We have received good feedback from the employees who found it fun and engaging, and we were confident that we would see an effect. Now we have independent researchers document that there is also a significant business value,” says Henrik Bøgelund, Senior Logistics Advisor, Normal A/S.
VR EFFECT ON ONBOARDING PERFORMANCE
-55.7%
How much time have you spent on onboarding activities?
-53.3%
How much more time would you like to spend on onboarding?
+9.1%
How satisfied are you with your onboarding at Normal?
Source: Department of Management, Aarhus University.
Ready, engaged, loyal
If you want new employees to stay longer at your company, this study also suggests that VR training might be a good idea. Aside from the onboarding process, the other most significant results are in the category of company loyalty.
When asked how long they intend to remain in the job at Normal, the VR training effect on new hires is +33.8%. The employees onboarded with additional VR training are also 8% more likely to recommend Normal as an employer to a friend or colleague, and asked if they continue to raise the bar every day, the VR effect is +16.8%
VR EFFECT ON COMPANY LOYALTY
+8.0%
How likely would you recommend Normal as an employer to a frined or colleague?
+16.8%
I continue to raise the bar every day
+33.8%
How long do you intend to remain in your job at Normal (new hires)?
Source: Department of Management, Aarhus University.
About the study
The study “VR UNPACKED” is conducted by an international team of researchers at the Department of Management, Aarhus University. The objective of the study was to measure if virtual reality training as part of an onboarding process would have a positive effect on new employees’ task performance, job satisfaction, and company loyalty. The results are preliminary and the research has not yet undergone peer-review. For information about the study, reach out to the principal investigator, Associate Professor Darius-Aurel Frank (df@mgmt.au.dk).