Production Control and Chronic Stress in Work Organizations

Abstract

In modern work organizations, production control is aimed particularly at making more intensive (i.e., more effective and more efficient) use of the work capacity. Usually, performance standards are established and their deviations periodically measured. Following this, adjusting and sanctioning action may be taken. This cyclic process, so characteristic of control processes, may contribute to the development of chronic stress. Based on a rough division of working behavior, this article formulates propositions about the relationship between conditions in which production control "intervenes" in the various areas of working behavior and the development of chronic stress. Areas of working behavior are: direct production, socialization, division of work and allocation of resources, sanctioning, and power development. In formulating the propositions on the development of chronic stress, the author applies insights from organization theory and social-psychological and sociological explanations. In order to avoid undue complications, no systematic use is made of insights into the effects of adequate or inadequate coping behavior on the emergence of chronic stress, or illegitimate action by workers who feel the pressure of production control. To arrive at an explanation of chronic stress, an understanding is needed of both the worker's interpretation of threatening stimuli and the worker's behavior within the control system.