EFFECTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRESS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ON PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STRAINS AMONG INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGERS

The purpose of this study is to provide an understanding of the sources of organizational stress among information systems managers, the relationship between the severity of the various stressors and the strain responses, and the effect of social support in moderating the impact of stress on strain. The significance of this study is that it specifically provides data on the stressors, strains, and effect of social support among information systems managers and it contributes to the knowledge of organizational stress and social support in general. Stressors, strains, and potential moderators of the stress-strain relationship, such as social support, in the information systems manager's environment are examined in a multivariate context. A field study comprised of a survey questionnaire was chosen as the most appropriate design for this investigation. The respondents were information systems managers, ranging in the organizational hierarchy from Vice President or Director to Project Manager, in both governmental and private sector organizations of varying sizes. Approximately half are located in the Washington, D.C., area; and the other half are located throughout the United States. This study reveals that job stresses among information systems managers are positively related to psychological and physiological strains. While almost all of the stressors included in this investigation are causing strain symptoms, certain stressors emerge as having the greatest impact. Likewise, certain psychological and physiological strains that result from these stressors are more prevalent than others. Concerning social support, this study reveals that the level of social support among information systems managers is lower than the level of social support among other managers. When social support exists, it directly reduces strain among these managers. However, social support does not moderate the impact of the stressors on strain; that is, social support does not enable information systems managers to weather stressful conditions with less evidence of strain. The findings in this study are both statistically significant and consistent with previous research on managers and other workers in general. The implications of these findings for organizations and for future research are considerable.