Research on the Impact of Challenge-Hindrance Stress on Employees’ Innovation Performance: A Chain Mediation Model

Abstract

Based on the transaction theory of stress and the theory of resource conservation, which introduces knowledge acquisition and intrinsic motivation as mediating variables, a chain mediating model for the influence of challenge-hindrance stress on innovation performance is constructed. Data of 295 samples collected in three stages were used to testify hypothesis. The results confirmed a positive relationship between challenge stress and innovation performance, and a negative relationship between hindrance stress and innovation performance. Intrinsic motivation and knowledge acquisition play a parallel and chain mediating role in the relationship between challenge-hindrance stress and innovation performance. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how challenge -hindrance stress affects innovation performance and provide important practical guidance for improving innovation performance.

Associations among Challenge Stress, Hindrance Stress, and Employees' Innovative Work Behavior: Mediation Effects of Thriving at Work and Emotional Exhaustion

“…Challenge stress and hindrance stress We adopted the Challenge and Hindrance Stress Scale (CGSS) developed by Cavanaugh et al (2000). CGSS is a widely used scale with good reliability and validity (Cai et al, 2022;Liu, 2015;Yang et al, 2019;Zhang, Liu, Wang, & Qing, 2018). It had two subscales, one for challenge stress and the other for hindrance stress.…”

“…(2000). CGSS is a widely used scale with good reliability and validity (Cai et al., 2022; Liu, 2015; Yang et al., 2019; Zhang, Liu, Wang, & Qing, 2018). It had two subscales, one for challenge stress and the other for hindrance stress.…”

“…However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of challenge stress and hindrance stress on innovative work behavior remain unclear. Some scholars argue that stress can influence IWB not only directly but also through the mediating effects of certain variables (Cai, Xu, Yu, & Gong, 2022; Du et al., 2014; Wang, 2021; Wang et al., 2019). First, thriving at work (TW), a joint sense of vitality and learning, may be a mediating variable in the impact of challenge stress and hindrance stress on innovative work behavior.…”

Exploring the Relationship between Academic Challenge Stress and Self-Rated Creativity of Graduate Students: Mediating Effects and Heterogeneity Analysis of Academic Self-Efficacy and Resilience

“…But research stressing creativity is not very mature, and scholars often take stress as a negative factor affecting individual abilities. Indeed, there has been no consistent conclusion on the theoretical attributions, effects, and underlying mechanisms of different stressors affecting creativity ( Byron et al 2010 ; Cai et al 2022 ). Hon and Lui ( 2016 ) suggest that stress deserves more attention as a key factor in creativity.…”

“…Previous studies showed that challenge stress has a positive impact on an individual’s life, work, and personal growth ( Liu and Ren 2022 ; LePine et al 2005 ). In addition, challenge stress is a positive stressor that enhances innovation performance ( Cai et al 2022 ; Moin et al 2022 ). In terms of the reason why challenge stress affects creativity performance, from a psychological perspective, the Conservation of Resources (COR) Model indicates ( Halbesleben et al 2014 ) that individuals strive to protect their resources and obtain additional resources in all situations.…”