Abstract:

Role overload is one type of role stressors that is experienced by employees who lack the necessary competencies, skills or time to successfully perform a variety of role demands. High role overload has negative impact on the organizations, employees’ performance and health. Based on an extensive review of the current definitions of role overload and comparisons among the relevant concepts, we propose an integrated definition for role overload, and review studies on its structural dimension, measurements, antecedents, and consequences. Future research still needs to use more reasonable standards to explore dimension division and measurements, and look into the influencing factors and localization of role overload.

Key words: role overload, role stressor, organizational management