Comparative Study Of Stressors In The Manufacturing And Service Sector: A Literature Review

Abstract

Stress in human beings is a phenomenon which has been present since ancient time. Ancient man also faced stress but it was not documented. The documented evidence of stress began with stress researchers like Hans Selye and W.B.Canon which was taken further by other researchers like Chris Argyris and C.L.Cooper. This paper compares the stressors in the manufacturing and service sector. Manufacturing sector and service sector have different characteristics and hence a different set of stressors. Stressors in the manufacturing sector are related to human-machine interaction and stressors in the service sector are related to human –human interaction. Hence nature of stressors varies according to nature of work. The paper also studies the transition in stressors with changes in technology and nature of work. It shows how research on stress has moved from physical conditions to psychological factor, from physical labour to emotional labour. The difference in stressors also suggests that focus of stress intervention strategies should be different in both sectors.