Ravalier PhD Theis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

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Chapter V: Conceptual Framework &
Organisational Context
1) Conceptual Framework
This chapter will begin with a description of the conceptual
framework to be utilised in the presented thesis. The framework will
therefore provide an understanding as to why and how the presented
work is utilised, drawing together relevant background literature as
discussed and evaluated throughout Chapters 2, 3 and 4 as well as an
indication as to why the particular areas are most suitable. Secondly the
chapter will help to provide organisational context to the reader in order
to allow more of an understanding of the participating organisation.
With respect to psychosocial stress in the workplace, a number of
definitions and theories have been explored. The current project takes
into account two of these theories: the transactional theory as proposed
by Lazarus and Folkman, and Stimulus theories which originated in the
physical engineering literature. Both of these have been analysed in
some detail in Chapter II Sections 1a.2 and 1a.3, and the relevance of
each is now discussed. According to the transactional theory, stress
emerges from interactions between the individual and his/her
environment, with maladaptive coping mechanisms also playing a key
part. Differently however the stimulus approach argues that individual
tolerance to stress is variable and limited, with either too many stressors,
or stressors being too chronic, overwhelming individual resources and
therefore leading to stress-related outcomes. While the two approaches
take different stances the model which has probably been most influential
in research over the last two decades (e.g. Gyorkos et al., 2012) has been
based on both theories, with authors and researchers who have taken the
Job Demands-Control-Support approach to stress in the workplace
describing it as originating from a stimulus point of view (McClenahan,
Giles & Mallett, 2007). Therefore as well as including the individual
variability assessed in the Stimulus approach, the presented research also
takes into account the transactional nature of stress. Lastly, the