Ph.D. thesis is on Occupational Stress in HRM - Viva Questions

 Ph.D. thesis is on Occupational Stress in HRM, the viva questions will focus on stress-related theories, workplace dynamics, measurement techniques, and practical implications for HR policy and employee well-being.

Here’s a list of likely viva questions tailored specifically to your topic.

1. Introduction & Rationale

• What is occupational stress, and how is it defined in your study?

• Why did you choose occupational stress as your research area?

• What made you focus on this issue now—was there a recent trend or event?

• What are the main research questions or objectives of your study?

2. Theoretical Framework

• What stress models or theories have guided your research?
  (E.g., Job Demand-Control Model, Person-Environment Fit, Transactional Model of Stress)

• How do you differentiate between stress, burnout, and job dissatisfaction?

• How do psychological and physiological components of stress interact in workplace settings?

• Did you refer to any industry-specific stress frameworks (e.g., for healthcare, IT, education)?

3. Literature Review

• What are the main causes of occupational stress in the sectors you studied?

• How has occupational stress been researched previously in HR literature?

• What gaps in existing literature did your research aim to address?

• What did you find lacking in prior empirical studies on stress management?

4. Methodology

• What was your research design (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method)?

• How did you select your participants (e.g., industry, job roles, experience)?

• Which instruments or scales did you use to measure occupational stress?
  (E.g., Occupational Stress Index, Perceived Stress Scale, Cohen’s Stress Scale)

• How did you ensure the reliability and validity of these tools?

• Did you use any control variables (e.g., age, gender, experience, job role)?

 5. Data Analysis

• What statistical tools did you use to analyze the data? (e.g., SPSS, AMOS, SEM, Regression Analysis)

• How did you handle variables like coping mechanisms, resilience, or emotional intelligence?

• What correlations or significant findings emerged?

• Did you find any unexpected trends in the data?

6. Key Findings & Discussion

• What are the major contributors to occupational stress in your study?

• How does stress affect employee performance, turnover, or engagement?

• Were there gender, age, or role-based differences in stress levels?

• What coping strategies were identified, and how effective are they?

• How do your findings compare with existing research?

7. Implications & Recommendations

• What interventions can HR departments implement based on your findings?

• How can stress management be integrated into HR policy?

• What role can leadership and organizational culture play in reducing stress?

• Can your findings be generalized across industries or countries?

8. Limitations & Future Research

• What are the limitations of your study?

• Were there any challenges in measuring psychological constructs like stress?

• What improvements would you make if you conducted the study again?

• What areas of occupational stress need further exploration?

9. Contribution to HRM

• How does your research contribute to the field of Human Resource Management?

• What’s the originality or novelty in your thesis?

• Have you developed or modified any conceptual models or frameworks?

10. Practical & Personal Reflection

• How can your findings help HR practitioners improve employee well-being?

• What insights did you gain personally from this research?

• How has this research influenced your view of HR as a profession?

• What’s your future plan—academia, consulting, corporate HR?

Bonus: Likely Examiner-Specific Questions

• Why did you select this population or sector?

• Were any participants reluctant to speak about their stress levels?

• How did you address ethical concerns related to studying mental health or stress?