A Fuzzy-set Approach to Re-Exploring Work-related Stress-outcome Relationships: Implications for Research Methods, Theory and Practice

Q3 Business, Management and Accounting

Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods Pub Date : 2022-04-13 DOI:10.34190/ejbrm.20.2.2207

V. Cassar, F. Bezzina, Stéphanie Fabri

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引用次数: 2

Abstract

This study employs fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to re-examine the more traditional correlational and regression models used to understand work stress and outcome relationships. Indeed, theoretical frameworks have been constructed underlying this premise and so have interventions assumed such principles. This study argues that the relationship between perception of stressors is not necessarily continuously linear and hence assessing non-linear but also more complex configurations becomes pivotal. While it is acknowledged that theory is important to simplify the explanation underlying the phenomenon of interest, likewise theory should also acknowledge new patterns that hide ‘inside’ the data and which reveal new pockets of information that explain the phenomenon better. Therefore, in line with calls for researchers to explore further new configurational patterns in the data and thus help build and refine theory, we examine potential complex associations between work-related stress and salient outcomes namely mental health, physical symptoms, presenteeism and intention to quit using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis instead of the more traditional correlational approach. Fuzzy-set methodology involves a number of parameters that include non-linearity but also equifinality and asymmetric associations. Reponses were obtained from 509 employees who volunteered to fill in a work-related stress questionnaire as part of a wider campaign related to the management of psychosocial hazards at work and the data was subject to fuzzy-set configuration analysis between stressors and outcomes. Fuzzy-set analyses revealed that specific points of high or low levels of work stress did not necessarily concur with more common regression results but revealed interesting pattern associations between work related stress and outcomes. The results imply that by adopting traditional methods, the relations observed would be either over- or under- estimated and researchers are urged to explore new research methodological approaches such as fuzzy-set methodology in the analyses of their data that may reveal new patterns and hence better inform both theory and practice.

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用模糊集方法重新探讨工作压力-结果关系:对研究方法、理论和实践的启示

本研究采用模糊集定性比较分析，重新检视传统的相关与回归模型，以了解工作压力与结果的关系。事实上，在这个前提下已经建立了理论框架，干预措施也遵循了这样的原则。本研究认为，压力源感知之间的关系不一定是连续线性的，因此评估非线性但更复杂的配置变得至关重要。虽然人们承认理论对于简化对感兴趣的现象的解释很重要，但同样地，理论也应该承认隐藏在数据内部的新模式，这些模式揭示了更好地解释现象的新信息。因此，为了响应研究人员在数据中进一步探索新的配置模式，从而帮助建立和完善理论的呼吁，我们使用模糊集定性比较分析代替传统的相关方法，研究了工作压力与心理健康、身体症状、出勤和戒烟意图等显著结果之间潜在的复杂关联。模糊集方法涉及许多参数，包括非线性，但也等价和不对称关联。509名员工自愿填写了一份与工作有关的压力问卷，作为一项与工作中心理社会危害管理有关的更广泛活动的一部分。研究人员对这些数据进行了压力源和结果之间的模糊集配置分析。模糊集分析显示，工作压力高低的具体点并不一定与更常见的回归结果一致，但却揭示了工作压力与结果之间有趣的模式关联。结果表明，如果采用传统方法，所观察到的关系要么被高估，要么被低估，研究人员迫切需要探索新的研究方法，如模糊集方法，以分析他们的数据，可能会揭示新的模式，从而更好地为理论和实践提供信息。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods Business, Management and Accounting-Business and International Management

CiteScore

1.40

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

26 weeks

期刊介绍： The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods (EJBRM) provides perspectives on topics relevant to research methods applied in the field of business and management. Through its publication the journal contributes to the development of theory and practice. The journal accepts academically robust papers that contribute to the area of research methods applied in business and management research. Papers submitted to the journal are double-blind reviewed by members of the reviewer committee or other suitably qualified readers. The Editor reserves the right to reject papers that, in the view of the editorial board, are either of insufficient quality, or are not relevant enough to the subject area. The editor is happy to discuss contributions before submission. The journal publishes work in the categories described below. Research Papers: These may be qualitative or quantitative, empirical or theoretical in nature and can discuss completed research findings or work in progress. Case Studies: Case studies are welcomed illustrating business and management research methods in practise. View Points: View points are less academically rigorous articles usually in areas of controversy which will fuel some interesting debate. Conference Reports and Book Reviews: Anyone who attends a conference or reads a book that they feel contributes to the area of Business Research Methods is encouraged to submit a review for publication.