Can an opportunity to learn at work reduce stress? A revisitation of the job demand‐control model
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to extend the stress‐buffering hypothesis of the demand‐control model. In addition to the control variable, it seeks to analyse the role of an opportunity for learning and development (L&D) in the workplace as a moderator variable between increased demands and need for recovery.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was administered to 199 employees (middle managers and clerical workers) at the district court of a region in North Italy during a period of training activities on stress management.
Findings
The results show that control and personal development perform a moderating role in the relationship between workload and the need for recovery by reducing exhaustion.
Research limitations/implications
The first limitation concerns the cross‐sectional design of the study, which does not make it possible to establish the direction of the causal relations hypothesised. Moreover, further research will be necessary to identify organisational strategies able to develop the personal competence of workers and manage learning at work.
Practical implications
The understanding of the importance of learning at work has practical implications for strategies of human resources management. Organisations that encourage personal learning by workers at the same time modify themselves, so that they become better able to adapt to changes and external demands.
Originality/value
The paper shows that the importance attributed to learning opportunities has a role in promoting work satisfaction and, specifically, in enhancing the quality of work life.
Keywords
Citation
Panari, C., Guglielmi, D., Simbula, S. and Depolo, M. (2010), "Can an opportunity to learn at work reduce stress? A revisitation of the job demand‐control model", Journal of Workplace Learning, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 166-179. https://doi.org/10.1108/13665621011028611
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited