Do Job Demands of Chinese Manufacturing Employees Predict Positive or Negative Outcomes? A Test of Competing Hypotheses

Stress & Health, March 2014

11 Pages Posted: 26 Jul 2015

See all articles by Janelle Cheung

Janelle Cheung

Clemson University - College of Business and Behavioral Science

Robert Sinclair

Clemson University - College of Business and Behavioral Science

Junqi Shi

Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) - Lingnan (University) College

Mo Wang

University of Florida - Department of Management

Date Written: October 1, 2013

Abstract

Karasek's job demands-control (JDC) model posits that job control can buffer against the harmful effects of demands experienced by employees. A large volume of JDC research has obtained support for the main effects of demands and control, but not the interactive effects. Recent research on the challenge-hindrance stressors framework, however, found that work stressors may not always be deleterious, suggesting alternative hypotheses about the effects of demands and control. The present study therefore examined competing hypotheses concerning the effects of job demands on occupational health outcomes. Using a sample of 316 employees in a Chinese manufacturing company, we found that, consistent with the challenge-hindrance framework, production demands were challenge stressors associated with favourable outcomes (i.e. job satisfaction and psychological well-being). In addition, results showed that the interactive role of job control depended on the nature of outcome variables. Future recommendations and implications of findings are discussed.

Keywords: job demands-control model, challenge and hindrance stressors, Chinese manufacturing workers

Suggested Citation

Cheung, Janelle and Sinclair, Robert and Shi, Junqi and Wang, Mo, Do Job Demands of Chinese Manufacturing Employees Predict Positive or Negative Outcomes? A Test of Competing Hypotheses (October 1, 2013). Stress & Health, March 2014, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2635626

Janelle Cheung (Contact Author)

Clemson University - College of Business and Behavioral Science ( email )

Clemson, SC 29631
United States

Robert Sinclair

Clemson University - College of Business and Behavioral Science ( email )

Clemson, SC 29631
United States

Junqi Shi

Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) - Lingnan (University) College ( email )

135 Xingang Xi Road
Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275
China

Mo Wang

University of Florida - Department of Management ( email )

United States

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