THE INDIRECT PATH FROM WORKLOAD TO BURNOUT THROUGH WORK STRESS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23102975Keywords:
Burnout, Job Demands–Resources Theory, Work Stress, WorkloadAbstract
This study examines whether workload influences burnout directly or primarily through work stress among site-based operational employees. Grounded in Job Demands–Resources theory, the study addresses the possibility that workload may not translate into burnout uniformly across occupational contexts and may instead operate through a more proximal psychological strain mechanism. A quantitative explanatory design was employed involving 80 site-based operational employees of PT Banjarmasin Bangkit in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. The findings show that workload was positively and significantly associated with work stress, while work stress was positively and significantly associated with burnout. In contrast, the direct relationship between workload and burnout was not significant. The indirect effect of workload on burnout through work stress was significant, indicating an indirect-only mediation pattern. These findings suggest that workload becomes relevant to burnout primarily when it is translated into sustained psychological strain. The study highlights the importance of managing work stress alongside workload in site-based operational environments.
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