Abstract
Series Editor David A. Whetten, Brigham Young University Editors Peter J. Frost, University of British Columbia Anne S. Huff, University of Colorado and Cranfield University (UK) Benjamin Schneider, University of Maryland M. Susan Taylor, University of Maryland Andrew Van de Ven, University of Minnesota The Foundation for Organizational Science series supports the development of students, faculty, and prospective organizational science professionals through the publication of texts authored by leading organizational scientists. Each volume provides a highly personal, hands-on introduction to a core topic or theory and challenges the reader to explore promising avenues for future theory development and empirical application. Books in This Series PUBLISHING IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL SCIENCES, 2nd Edition Edited by L. L. Cummings and Peter J. Frost SENSEMAKING IN ORGANIZATIONS Karl E. Weick INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS W. Richard Scott RHYTHMS OF ACADEMIC LIFE Peter J. Frost and M. Susan Taylor RESEARCHERS HOOKED ON TEACHING: Noted Scholars Discuss the Synergies of Teaching and Research Rae André and Peter J. Frost THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DECISION MAKING: People in Organizations Lee Roy Beach ORGANIZATIONAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Robert Folger and Russell Cropanzano RECRUITING EMPLOYEES: Individual and Organizational Perspectives Alison E. Barber ATTITUDES IN AND AROUND ORGANIZATIONS Arthur P. Brief IDENTITY IN ORGANIZATIONS: Building Theory Through Conversations Edited by David Whetten and Paul Godfrey PERSONNEL SELECTION: A Theoretical Approach Neal Schmitt and David Chan BUILDING STRATEGY FROM THE MIDDLE: Reconceptualizing Strategy Process Steven W. Floyd and Bill Wooldridge MISSING ORGANIZATIONAL LINKAGES: Tools for Cross-Level Research Paul S. Goodman THE CONTINGENCY THEORY OF ORAGANIZATIONS Lex Donaldson ORGANIZATIONAL STRESS: A Review and Critique of Theory, Research, and Applications Cary L. Cooper, Philip J. Dewe, and Michael P. O'Driscoll INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS, Second Edition W. Richard Scott Copyright © 2001 by Sage Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information: Sage Publications, Inc. 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, California 91320 E-mail: order@sagepub.com Sage Publications Ltd. 6 Bonhill Street London EC2A 4PU United Kingdom Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd. M-32 Market Greater Kailash I New Delhi 110 048 India Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Cooper, Cary L. Organizational stress: A review and critique of theory, research, and applications / by Cary L. Cooper, Philip J. Dewe, and Michael P. O'Driscoll p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7619-1480-3 (c)—ISBN 0-7619-1481-1 (p) 1. Job stress. I. Dewe, Philip. II. O'Driscoll, Michael P. III. Title. HF5548.85 .C656 2001 158.7′2—dc21 00-011071 This book is printed on acid-free paper. 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Acquisition Editor: Marquita Flemming Editorial Assistant: MaryAnn Vail Production Editor: Diane S. Foster Editorial Assistant: Victoria Cheng Typesetter: Siva Math Setters, Chennai, India Indexer: Will Ragsdale Cover Designer: Michelle Lee The title of this series, Foundations for Organizational Science (FOS), denotes a distinctive focus. FOS books are educational aids for mastering the core theories, essential tools, and emerging perspectives that constitute the field of organizational science (broadly conceived to include organizational behavior, organizational theory, human resource management, and business strategy). Our ambitious goal is to assemble the “essential library” for members of our professional community. The vision for the series emerged from conversations with several colleagues, including Peter Frost, Anne Huff, Rick Mowday, Benjamin Schneider, Susan Taylor, and Andy Van de Ven. A number of common interests emerged from these sympathetic encounters, including enhancing the quality of doctoral education by providing broader access to the master teachers in our field, “bottling” the experience and insights of some of the founding scholars in our field before they retire, and providing professional development opportunities for colleagues seeking to broaden their understanding of the rapidly expanding subfields within organizational science. Our unique learning objectives are reflected in an unusual set of instructions to FOS authors. They are encouraged to (a) “write the way [Page x] they teach”—framing their book as an extension of their teaching notes, rather than as the expansion of a handbook chapter; (b) pass on their “craft knowledge” to the next generation of scholars—making them wiser, not just smarter; (c) share with their “virtual students and colleagues” the insider tips and best bets for research that are normally reserved for one-on-one mentoring sessions; and (d) make the complexity of their subject matter comprehensible to nonexperts so that readers can share their puzzlement, fascination, and intrigue. We are proud of the group of highly qualified authors who have embraced the unique educational perspective of our “Foundations” series. We encourage your suggestions for how these books can better satisfy your learning needs—as a newcomer to the field preparing for prelims or developing a dissertation proposal, or as an established scholar seeking to broaden your knowledge and proficiency. The last half-century has seen an enormous change in the nature of society and of the workplace in particular (Cooper, 1998). The 1960s epitomized the limitless possibilities of change, with the British prime minister of the time...