The role of Research in OP

Experiments Symbolic Level: Event Level: OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS: These help clarify meaning at EVENT level Symbolic Level: specific goals leads to high productivity Event Level: (vague goal) “Do your best.” leads to more operational costs/less profit (clear goal) “Fill truck to 95% capacity.” leads to Lesser operational costs/more profit Level of I.V. leads to Change in D.V. With Control: Can say I.V. caused Δ in D.V.

O.B. overgeneralizations are easily made. Research helps teach us the limits of the truth of statements. “Expert’s are those who know the limits of truth of statements.” O.B. overgeneralizations are easily made. e.g. Impact of Specific goals depends on culture: if expect to participate in goal setting, need mutually agreed goals Collectivist culture group goal over individual “face-saving” cultures specific goals may lead to loss of face e.g. Increasing salary will motivate people to work more hours. Not always so. (Mexican study)

Control Experimental Techniques Correlational Techniques Observational Techniques Control Usually there is less control as go from lab experiment to field experiment to correlational research to observational/participatory research. However, can get richer, wider scope information.

Research in O.P. Basics: Hypothesis Reliability Validity

Observational Techniques Systematic and objective Case studies Participant Observation Direct Observation Correlational Techniques Experimental Techniques Issues e.g. Sampling Hawthorn effects Ethics

Stress, Coping and Health A reaction to environmental demands Stressors versus stress

Classification of Stressors by Complexity Biological Psychological Interpersonal Socio-cultural

A Definition of Stress Stress is the nonspecific response of the body to any demand placed upon it. (Hans Selye) Reaction: Flight, flight or freeze A mobilization to action

Reaction: Flight, flight or freeze mobilization to action

Ulcers in “Executive Monkeys” Reacting to Stress: Selye’s three major stages: Alarm reaction: defensive forces are mobilized Resistance stage: body adapts to stressors Exhaustion: stressors negates body’s coping mechanisms.

Reacting to Stress: Selye’s three major stages: Alarm reaction: defensive forces are mobilized Resistance stage: body adapts to stressors Exhaustion: stressors negates body’s coping mechanisms.

STRESS, CHANGE AND SICKNESS:THE SOCIAL READJUSTMENT SCALE* If any of these life events have happened to you in the last 12 months, check Happened column and enter Value in Your Score column. Item Life Event Happened Item Your Score 1. Death of spouse 100 2. Divorce 73 3. Marital separation 65 4. Jail term 63 5. Death of close family member 63 6. Personal injury or illness 53 7. Marriage 50 8. Fired at work 47 9. Marital reconciliation 45 10. Retirement 45 11. Change in health of family member 44 12. Pregnancy 40 13. Sex difficulties 39 14. Gain of new family member 39 15. Business readjustment 39 16. Change in financial state 38 17. Death of close friend 37 18. Change to different line of work 36 19. Change in number of arguments with spouse 35 20. Mortgage over $50,000 31 21. Foreclosure of mortgage or loan 30 22. Change in responsibilities at work 29 23. Son or daughter leaving home 29 24. Trouble with in‑laws 29 25. Outstanding personal achievement 28

26. Wife begins or stop work 26 27. Begin or end school 26 28. Change in living conditions 25 29. Revision of personal habits 24 30. Trouble with boss 23 31. Change in work hours or conditions 20 32. Change in residence 20 33. Change in schools 20 34. Change in recreation 19 35. Change in church activities 19 36. Change in social activities 18 37. Mortgage or loan less than $50,000 17 38. Change in sleeping habits 16 39. Change in number of family get‑togethers 15 40. Change in eating habits 15 41. Vacation 13 42. Christmas 12 43. Minor violations of the law 11 Total score for 12 months:____________ Note: The more change you have, the more likely you are to get sick. Of those people with over 300 Life Change Units for the past year, almost 90% get sick in the near future; with 150 to 299 Life Change Units, about 50% get sick in the near future, and with less than 150 Life Change Units, only about 30% get sick in the near future. *See Holmes & Rahe: Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 11:213, 1967.

Dealing with Stress: The organizational/ergonomic approach (eliminating or reducing unnecessary stressors) The Individual Approach (living in an imperfect world)

When this slide is not in presentation mode, you may double click anywhere on it to learn more about office ergonomics.

Are you under the right amount of stress Too much (or too little) challenge can make you sick.

Are you under the right amount of stress? Stress and Performance: The Inverted U

“Cooper and Marshall Model” “Who is liable for stress on the job?” “Any company, unless it learn to monitor, diagnose and treat a stressful situation before it goes to court.—and document these activities.”

Cooper Marshall Model:

Role conflict Interrole conflict Intrarole conflict Role ambiguity

Work-Nonwork Stressors (McShane) Time-based conflict Strain-based conflict Role Behaviour conflict Note: Canadian Statistics on work overload