This thesis addresses the question of why work stress prevention has not been
adopted systemically in organisations, despite some research findings that it is
effective, that it has been mandated by legislative regulations and that it has the
potential for significant cost savings. Work stress is recognised as an increasing and
global problem in terms of negative economic, health and social outcomes. Its
significant costs related to work injury compensation have resulted in growing
pressure from governmental health and safety jurisdictions for organisations to
manage and prevent stress through systemic risk management approaches.