Consequences and moderators of industrial relations stressors

Abstract

The aim of the present thesis was to develop and test a process model \nof the consequences and moderators of industrial relations stressors. A \nreview of the literature revealed that conflict and change represent \ncentral dimensions of both industrial relations and stress theory. Furthermore, \nthe practice of industrial relations is inherently stressful: \nForming a labour-management relationship, joint decision-making, implementing \nindustrial relations decisions and breakdowns in the \nlabour-management relationship are all potentially stressful activities \nfor members of management and labour alike. However, despite the strong \ntheoretical and practical association between industrial relations and \nstress, no attempt has been made to conduct a comprehensive x vpirical \ninvestigation of the stress associated with the practice of industrial \nrelations. Accordingly, in the present thesis, the stress associated with \na wide range of industrial relations events was examined. \nBefore investigating the industrial relations stress process, it \nwas necessary to develop an appropriate instrument to measure the stress \nassociated with industrial relations practice. Thus the initial study \nwas aimed at developing the Industrial Relations Event Scale. This was \ndone using the life events approach, a well-documented means of measuring \nstress. Within the life events paradigm, Sarason's approach has been \nwell-received as it overcomes many of the criticisms levelled against \nearlier life event scales. Consequently, Sarason's format was adopted \nfor the development of the Industrial Relations Event Scale. The 63-item \nIndustrial Relations Event Scale contains three subscales, the occurrence, \nnegative and positive scales. The occurrence scale assesses retrospectively \nthe number of industrial relations events that have \noccurred over a 12-month period, As such, the occurrence score provides \nan index of objective stressors. Subjective measures of stress are provided \nby the positive and negative subscales of the Industrial Relations

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