Organizational stress: Impact on workplace performance and the cost of health care

Abstract

Considerable attention has been devoted in the management literature to organizational stress and quality of work life (Wilson et al 2013, Dahl 2011, Manning et al 1996, Matteson and Ivancevich, 1979). One important consideration in the quality of work life is organizational stress and its relationship to a variety of physiological and behavioral variables. Studies have found many health problems related to stress (Manning et al 1996, Parasuraman and Alutto 1981). Stress seems to worsen or increase the risk of conditions like obesity, coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes, depression, and gastrointestinal problems. From management perspective negative behavioural outcome from an employee as a result of workplace stress is undesirable. Wilson et al (2013) developed a predictive model for coronary heart disease and risk factor categories such as blood pressure and cholesterol. Matteson and Ivancevich (1979) developed a framework for studying the impact of stress on physiological, behavioural and demographic outcomes. Physiological outcome is measured through biomarkers such as 1. Serum cholesterol, 2. Triglycerides, 3. Blood Pressure, 4. Blood Glucose and 5. Catecholamine. Behavioural aspects of stress can be measured through outcomes such as job-satisfaction, performance, absenteeism etc. A major gap in the existing literature is the lack of empirical studies to support the beliefs about workplace stress on organizational performance and healthcare cost.