How Detrimental is Job Stress? : A Case Study Of Executives in the Malaysian Furniture Industry

Abstract

Malaysia’s furniture industry has undergone tremendous growth in recent years. The industry has also been much affected by the pervasive forces of globalization and by the persistent growth of information technology. These changes have in turn affected the way firms compete and specifically the way they are managed. The increased complexity and the imperative of global competition have exerted tremendous pressure on workers and thus imposed considerable stress on them. Thus, job stress becomes a common problem faced by employees in many organizations today. It affects employee’s mental and physical health and in the long run affects company’s performance. This study attempts to identify the sources of stress and its prevalence among executives in the furniture industry in Malaysia.