Abstract: Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) model has explored the formation and function mechanism of work stress from effort, reward and overcommitment, which based on society exchange theory. We summarize and analyze related ERI model researches in the past 30 years in four aspects: theoretical bases of ERI model, the applicability of ERI model, the exploration of interrelated variables, and the development of ERI model. It is found that the current ERI model presents a satisfactory level of explanatory and applicability. However, it’s still necessary for the future study of related intermediate variables exploration and interaction hypothesis test and research methods optimization about the value of imbalance.

Key words: effort-reward, overcommitment, core self-evaluation, work stress