Xiong, B; Skitmore, M and Xia, B (2014) Exploring the internal dimensions of work stress: Evidence from construction cost estimators in China. In: Raiden, A and Aboagye-Nimo, E (eds.) Proceedings of 30th Annual ARCOM Conference, 1-3 September 2014, Portsmouth, UK.
Abstract
A recurring feature of modern practice is the stress placed on project professionals, with both debilitating effects on the people concerned and indirectly affecting project success. Cost estimation, for example, is an essential task for successful project management involving a high level of uncertainty. It is not surprising, therefore, that young cost estimators especially can become stressful at work due to a lack of experience and the heavy responsibilities involved. However, the concept of work stress and the associated underlying dimensions has not been clearly defined in extant studies in the construction management field. To redress this situation, an updated psychology perceived stress questionnaire (PSQ) , first developed by Levenstein et al (1993) and revised by Fliege et al (2005), is used to explore the dimensions of work stress with empirical evidence from the construction industry in China. With 145 reliable responses from young (less than 5 yearsÕ experience) Chinese cost estimators, this study explores the internal dimensions of work stress, identifying four dimensions of tension, demands, lack of joy and worries. It is suggested that this four-dimensional structure may also be applicable in a more general context.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | work stress; perceived stress questionnaire; young cost estimators; exploratory factor analysis |
| Index terms: | estimator, questionnaire, evidence, cost estimator, project management, construction industry, China, psychology, dimension, work stress, project success, cost estimating, exploratory factor analysis, construction cost |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, behavioral psychology, statistical analysis, Geography, project management theory and practice, financial and cost management, health monitoring assessment and metrics, psychology, evaluation and assessment methods, data collection methods, profession |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Cost Management, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here