Abstract
Slem, Levi and Young (1986) developed a model of the psychological impact of technological change on the workforce. The purpose of current research was to investigate the relationship between stress and technological change. The “Impact of Technological Change Survey” was administered to workers in five large electronics manufacturing corporations. Almost one-third of the workforce believed that technological change would make the individual's job more stressful. Over 20% were worried about the future of their jobs. Anticipated role conflict, role ambiguity, and quantitative role overload produced the strongest and most consistent relationships with the global measure of stress. Qualitative role overload and beliefs about reduction in force were more closely allied to job insecurity stress. Anticipated stress is reduced somewhat when technological change is seen as providing personal and organizational benefits or when the organization is perceived as effectively dealing with the transition to the new technology.
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