Job scope and stress: Can job scope be too high?

JL Xie, G Johns - Academy of management journal, 1995 - journals.aom.org
JL Xie, G Johns
Academy of management journal, 1995journals.aom.org
This study examined relationships among job scope, perceived fit between job demands
and ability, and stress. Data on scope and stress were provided by 418 full-time employees.
Ratings of job complexity from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) and the
Occupational Prestige Index (OP) also measured job scope. All three job scope measures
had a U-shaped curvilinear relationship with emotional exhaustion. Anxiety had a negative
association with incumbent-reported job scope but none with the DOT and OP measures …
This study examined relationships among job scope, perceived fit between job demands and ability, and stress. Data on scope and stress were provided by 418 full-time employees. Ratings of job complexity from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) and the Occupational Prestige Index (OP) also measured job scope. All three job scope measures had a U-shaped curvilinear relationship with emotional exhaustion. Anxiety had a negative association with incumbent-reported job scope but none with the DOT and OP measures. Perceived demands-ability fit moderated the relationship between the DOT and OP measures and stress. People with complex jobs who perceived fit experienced less exhaustion and anxiety than those perceiving misfit.
Academy of Management