Ravalier PhD Theis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

15
Appreciative Inquiry methodology, utilised an approach focussed on
changing the psychosocial working environment (so-called ‘primary’ level
interventions) as opposed to secondary interventions, which are aimed at
increasing an employee’s ability to deal with stress in the workplace, or
tertiary interventions which help employees to recover once stress has
become a problem. Reviews of the literature (for example Jordan et al.,
2003; Randall, Griffiths & Cox, 2005) have identified primary level
interventions as those that are the most underused and understudied for
a variety of reasons, although they have the potential to be the most
powerful and long-lasting interventions. Therefore the current study will
add some much-needed depth of knowledge to the already existing
literature, particularly with respect to the use of AI methodologies in the
workplace.
3) Main Research Questions and Focus
The first objective of the proposed project is to apply an
Appreciative Inquiry research model for the creation of a ‘local stress
theory’, depicted to inform of the everyday stressors that employees
within a particular borough council organisation face. A further outcome
is the design of intervention methods to improve upon these stressors.
Therefore the main research questions and objectives are as follows:
Objectives:
• To develop a local stress theory.
• To develop an appropriate intervention strategy based on staff
views.
Primary Research Question:
1. Can the results of a participatory Appreciative Inquiry methodology
be successfully implemented into a local borough council
organisation