8. A workplace stress assessment study of factory employees in the context of industrial robot technology innovation

Abstract Background The rapid advancement and widespread adoption of Industrial Robotics Technology (IRT) in manufacturing have significantly enhanced the automation and intelligence of production processes. While technological innovation boosts efficiency, it simultaneously raises concerns among factory workers regarding workplace safety, risks of skill obsolescence, and job role uncertainty, potentially increasing Workplace Stress (WS). Current research predominantly focuses on the organizational performance benefits of IRT, yet systematic evidence remains scarce regarding employees' psychological stress responses to technological innovation and its influencing factors. Methods To construct an evaluation framework for WS in the context of IRT and analyze the changing trends and related impact mechanisms of employee stress levels. The study is based on two manufacturing companies that are implementing IRT upgrades, and a total of 642 frontline employees were recruited to participate in the survey. The main measurement tools include Job Uncertainty Perception Scale (JUPS), Skill Replacement Threat Questionnaire (SRTQ), Workload Index (WI), and Workplace Stress Assessment Scale (WSAS). The investigation will be conducted in two stages, corresponding to 6 months before and after the implementation of IRT in the enterprise. Using a mixed effects model to analyze changes in stress levels and applying a structural equation model to analyze stress generation pathways. Results After six months of implementing IRT, employees' WSAS scores showed a 27% increase from baseline (p= .003), with job uncertainty perception rising by 31% (p=.004) and perceived threat of skill replacement increasing by 34% (p=.006). Although the workload index remained stable, operational complexity-related items improved by 18% (p=.03), indicating that heightened skill adaptation demands became a significant stress source. Structural equation modeling revealed that job uncertainty perception had the strongest predictive effect on WS, while perceived threat of skill replacement contributed 0.41 (p=.01). Together, these factors explained 62% of workplace stress variance. Notably, companies providing training support achieved a 16% increase in employee WS, significantly lower than the 32% observed in non-training groups (p=.02), demonstrating a clear organizational buffering effect. Further analysis showed that highly engaged employees improved their skill mastery scores by 28%, with their WSAS scores showing a significant decline during follow-up (p=.03), indicating that skill confidence serves as a crucial moderating factor in stress recovery. Discussion The study reveals that IRT technological innovation has significantly increased workplace stress levels among factory workers, with job uncertainty and skill substitution threats serving as primary psychological mechanisms. Although workloads remained stable, operational complexity caused by evolving skill requirements further exacerbated stress accumulation. Training support and employee engagement in skill enhancement proved crucial for stress relief, highlighting the need for organizations to address staff psychological adaptation during technological transformation. This research provides empirical evidence for understanding stress dynamics in IRT environments and offers practical guidance for developing employee support systems during technological upgrades. Future studies should conduct long-term tracking across different manufacturing sectors to verify the sustained impact of industrial robot innovation on workplace stress and the long-term buffering effects of training support mechanisms.