Cognitive Appraisal of Work Intensification

Due to economic and technological changes, work has intensified over the past few decades. This intensification of work takes a toll on employees' well-being and job satisfaction. To explain the effects of work intensification on its outcomes we draw on the transactional stress model and examine the mediating role of cognitive appraisal. Furthermore, we examined whether a favorable participative climate influences the relation between work intensification and its appraisal. In Study 1, mediation analyses of 2-wave panel data (N = 253) supported the hypothesized mediating effect of cognitive appraisal on the relationship between work intensification and emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction, respectively. The cross-sectional Study 2 (N = 932) provided support for the salient role of cognitive appraisal in the relationship of work intensification to its outcomes. Moreover, data from Study 2 revealed that a favorable participative climate serves as a resource in the relationship between work intensification and cognitive appraisal. Additionally, results of a moderated mediation analysis showed that a favorable participative climate weakens the indirect effect of work intensification on its outcomes. Our studies emphasize the importance of promoting a favorable participative climate in organizations to better manage the work intensification resulting from economic and technological changes.