Theories of
Organizational Stress
Cary L. Cooper
Manchester School of Management
The Unity of Maneeser state of een and
Tedtnlogy (UIST)
Manchester
ue
OXFORD 7993Stressors, Innovation, and Personal
Initiative:
Are Stressors Always Detrimental?
Doris Fy, Sabine Sonnentag and Michael Fese
Introduction
‘This chapter wil fut on he elasonsip between ssn, na pe
relive Rahionmatinanl nate thee and patos
{ene unc en ite cn be conepuaned tobe pe al he pe
‘esearch sea of cote psormance (Organ, 19) which ha rece mec
tention du os elevance or organi fcc and imprest
Production praceduesorsrlesretecal py Padatoland Mere oon
Lows wh ncn bl competion the peste tomate beers
ronger Recarch on svessrs bas consent proved tele neg etc
cath, pertormance, ad satstcion (ah and Byer iorsSaoaals eae
"nahschapter we wantocablishalikberwten he eps lnesofvorethon
!noovatian and personal itv on he on and am tenon onthe ees Te
‘satonship of suewors, tovaon, and personal ate wil be dened tone
aousperpectives weal conser the mega eer oessrson etl
\serand we shall ao explore the poten postive ete ose Liters wl
bere orboth approaches
Centra Concepts
Innovation and Personal initiative
ration Int is ther broader that may ree 08 product ta ou
omer toa proces Aneran and King 9) Wet an a on) dee wns
‘ation athe unl atodaton adaptation wins wle rea
‘amaaton fides, ness products prtedues ow the met
dotion, designed to sigutcaly bene the individual group, ongntation or
‘er sce p 9) Amable and herco mothers concepasized neston the
‘xccelimplementaton eres, nnelandwcteidensannen gene
"on een houghthee create eas donocnecteay coe fom mth gg
"ton bt may a inde ea produced elawhere (Amable th Arabs
innoratonhastobe diferente fom ceviy Creatity related to penne.
‘ngnoveides forthe individual whe ovation rer oes tie he fo
npnzation the workgroup or work role, bt not nese for head
tng then ideas forward Furthermore cet compressa radeon
Whe norton requis sloth mplemenston of novel les Ama,
‘Anderton and King 19: West nd aro). The ings tha novation shoo
cs others rector nec: tha, imoration hasbeen conrptslza 2
‘oxi proces, whe creat an nad cognie proces et nda
never hits group ad onan ennnatnsean bere
‘ined Stave Here, we ml futon he nd el ve wl ay
oacentate omnia nora. Oe important typeof ante
‘vidual lees work role nnoaton, Role innovation I hrartenaed bythe
‘mena nucton thin nes ws tle une and well len pesto
produc orpaxedurs atrand ond oes Nhu tke toro
thatsukaninnoratn mast be brought abourby the ole incumbent snd en
‘ mandse om ete (Fart and Ford, oo: 6) Role enenton ha often een
‘tamined inthe court of erganaxtina eiantion of nemo Alen sod
Mera: Athforh ad Ska 96; Noon.) However role novation
sls poste or persons who ke sendy been wong longer ne win tet
jobs We. oa.
esl tine “Personal e ehair yme essing nnd
al stakingon ace and selfing appronch fo ork tnd pong beyond what
foray egiedinpvenjob (Pee etal, oe 3, Tsp specsonpur.
‘serena oe al hichare coat wth onan clea
sn thon gol ar prsued pee inspite ores and setbacks ond hee
longer dceron work
{ewok peopled not uals star thats. cary ou be
tuk demanded thee denrtin flow ston signers ge he
Sipe, oF compete for sted by cesace Tes seine hot
sees thy arcariedout ont a oe equcstand ferent
{ut ewok ol I howeer a inal Solos an din Pala se,
‘tsk iho nga dtodoso sis onstcieae,Inapne cam,
‘hecompaterespertefadepurimeneuhoisfaalh eons ee
ening of personal computer al prt. ths expetmplemens sme fo
‘svg pope fo pining by talng ge allows he Pestng of ete
evs pes eer sb hs devapedan tral Wax ecuton nelur inprtant turf nat sthathe act scarcer along
temo at fn na ening pean Pe
he dentin personal nue nap asmpmnen she cmtene
‘line “wih on exception: pennant corpse e
‘macurdance withthe company gal Harmfulactivites suchas singer
any sroees areata, ht dbertl excaed om he ery or
Sonafautiave the northe cu ofurimeret ce,
Altough he aranizaten profs rom ve ot al oganiatonal membere
‘may support inate ancendtonalyandimmedaely-ellegucsndesperncee
‘nay er the changes becuse of mie Ana tac ay ape eens
tsi probleme. These scala physical bares make ace the
‘seta dent Tha pratense orn,
rain elt gl can for sot Be conic wh aged pal
tn wh aking ite an emgage might gt anf tps
ite cmpany Tle teal ea te ceompany ul ese
iivecanicadeaclemnduabedene"eelion
Differentiation Between Innovation and Personal Initiative
Hse pt. and vation an en ssl ied abi,
‘ps8 Andon and King 985 West and Far op), Personal nin has een
fercriated rom the elated concepts sucha organ zn Serer
or achesermest motion (Faye, Rese ep. Thequeton eee
‘tether anh nontunae perma nate ert em escheber a
As ep the deat beeen oat pana ne wilh
_ sek ta sens tep we il utente seal case of lennon
uth nnwaton and permanant that reer he pect
ti ota within ten work ting There wide ange of eve or pe
sunena canke subsume under beh tern magi eneringerv cnet
wat castomer compas. Within the normal werk proce ee nay a
kath howe compntsenepe segs tere opdogy fs meer he
‘oterng cu suet an ogntes rogue mestngs nich cum os
Pins wb desea when thi person i finding solos type
‘omplait>—ths acy sth novation nd peranalnatie, The esto
‘hintmeengsisboth newsothe catering amanda etre sty ed
"impronngthe serie inh long
However. imoation an personal nitive donot awa compecly, Fs
!nvation ips that the Sea, paced, oe proces new fhe cote os
‘whats he pkmemed tome, prs iis ds or ned Be
wel Sevond acral characte of persona tte ha leat
snl pres eyo foal ainsi Thence
iy mua es be uth estar npr ah pe
"ak The ter for example isthe cane chen desing em pcs (Ancon oad
Role innovation ref to the implementation of new ideas, behaviors, or proce
uresinones wrk tole Therefore there some oveap betwen forsee
drole inoeaton, ht aps bs concep sree oy they ae
{Se npect at rotenone tenting ue petulant by
fatlng oe weaurenents ret or example by chang ster mth oe
ching work tages or by renragingthe order which teem parts ejb
‘xe done (West, 90). contrat personal nuns purses cata mene
‘Secon rleinnoraonsaather descriptive cone focaingndegon joa
$ret rom others Wes ohare th ne rae or posse
‘wth thse innovate bekaiors,Rle novation doesnot evenly ee
"es euci frgrsona tate sucha lng tem fue snd pertenee hen
Confronted whbarersandsebacs Imagine scorer nan organsaton
just some asrsofherjabaothathey fhe peronal warkngatebeter Ths
‘clea rlemavanon bt inthe abc eg tata ato pea
Predictors of Innovation
considerable umber of studs examine’ pose editor ofan
‘on fr eviews se Ford 16 King foo. Research addesed bth ntl an
‘iatonalchariteriies Waheed rental pa
en pretor of novation ae ese moan, dma selva sa an
“ren relevae shi Amable 188) A content fing with apt ose
oval furor that contol at war, sels ofresorces and suppor lade
‘hipare pont reltedto innoraton Amable aaah Seat oe Brace. ose,
‘Wee ot The ets of reno inthe work stanton om innovation mer el
‘ely seldomly examined Wewllrferto hese stds tern tice
-Precictorsof Personal Initiative: Jb Characteristics, Individual
Characters and thelr Relationship ta Initative
reso developed a compchensvepediton model nianhe Thistheowet
‘a Seen mal hues tween enitonmental sep kl aa
Saracen and cnientation 3 predictor of iii. Some pas of theme
hacen empl tested Ress te ht rnrss acho canto and
complesty te leant endronmental sports (Fes ey pe, Frese and
Tigo. ap. Conta twork~opportuntis to make rela deen sot
‘ones work and one werk conditions amare soporte ahs
tn inpat on employe’ motivation ta reefs teak a roar way (hu,
inchding cxavole gual) and on their sere of esponabiy for thet
urhermore contol work makes eese olive the out crac of ones
‘nk: fb complenty advances the dersepment of high vel of ils an ow.
‘je which antuntcstconcete oar ways een oe
lage
‘With respect oindviua characteris job quaiction (ese and lig
soo lw facto conservati (ya ese pret aa nee"evaton esta. hve ee nd be pectin. Fn
matin cat cna lop ang ca
ton ra ad Pema, tn rand chy pg se Fees
(Spend ef and ig oe appar nbc
"hus, in opera cond wee ee
‘cons imps cerindrgre of ucaton nets oe er
hskotunsonatcraitestonhesalpeedar Conlin e e
{ut alow enrlapeaiom mpl aeeonalaponblin ce cea re
tap zt sey hen tpey pene seen foe
itt wi ony been when a nds ay ee i he
hangs in he cnroment that i cons ey eal ae
‘sabes ah rhe canals eonment nM when
Stressors at Work: Action Theory asa Framework
wi a at rab amewor to dtc eo ihe ree
sdk Wan aca they atom ace ano os ae
med in work proves An acon can be deed ers bhmi the ened
‘owardapl Onseonepallee scwnlphne monotone
thyaisel Anactin stst syewhah blanco
“Sting hcnaton dpi snddecingem one cerned eka
‘monitoring ection, ay eng eda to te alo
‘hater egsarecn ached
Turkce ate theory uns hat actos ar replated varius ear
‘ew econ ayaa Haces shar nearer eed
eb acm parm melt and eatin Toco eee
{silent deseo wach consonant stoned eee
ne
Sts ae dine elation othe pation of acon ming which
Luisi tion he con presses ee al pe we
so toon fron poedatnguesbereeeeta
ters linn dt regan) anon ebates ee es
‘yvonne te and ap sete ke aes
‘apnea arpoon uncon saharaconpae kone ty
replaton obscesbecase ome aro rear the ask gin, pars ofthe task
lead executed may belt Repalation diate appear when secs ach
‘vant information more iat than acer, of when movements ead ade
onal efor for example duet nadequate le
‘Oyanzatonl protien can be regarded a elton otc: terial vat
fast come inne or the eguled ay eases interapions of heaton
proces, cal sesor such a ost bey beh of perio oe
focal tensions are rpulaton atc ar well They det tention om he man
tektothoughis nd worses about the restora therefore al reso cam
sume elton pact (Dunc,
‘elation Uncreinty The working nul experiences elton uncertain
‘en gous are bly pied or when's unkown whch pln edt oa
‘wha eedbsk recent, or when there rnadegat feck Instances of
‘gustan acer are guasatne overload (rankenhouter and Carl 96),
‘ole cofic and oe ambiguy (Ka, 7 Recelvng conradting seen
(suc ado our job extremely fn, ut do noel ow the qty sands)
{fuses tation in which m0 cer which operations ae sl osc
bod regurements ews, unlear ck amimente make adeqat goa Seep
ening heaton gts wean ent
cio euned wit igh edo ey Tye sion epson se
Se prem qnsaetnclond scheint eeond Tet ok
scope ore poctng ots tte ocd pion
shih aes ocgy oot net coed
escuhon sera stahaspedomiary td amewok thane
sgrcibenguesirofresmrer een. Schonpgend hc roershowee
tebe suntan comet espn i Shp
‘ns cons ney merge corte espana oes
‘eda ere, Be ped pt ere es
Greens
The Relationship betweer Stressors, Innovation, and Persona nitive
“The elatiomiphetween reso notion and itv willbe desis om
thre erent pepectver aft apprsch we loo the detent et
‘esos dcusnghow sess inp the elon of acons, ence. the
‘eglavonfinnovatheand nave actions Second welookatthe revere electy
sidering nwt respect norton annie hemelves can cae rr
forcxampe by evoking ona ime pesue or organizational pects Both
‘eltorsipe stem npn ert om mnt and ntti andthe vee
fet fae onseesore are depted in Fgure bhi a model developed
‘hat consere neo toleada the opin fir beingamnonative aking na
‘hiieshown i Pre Asa final pon th seton, ths submodel willbe di
fussed he fame penton‘Stessors Reducing Innovation and Personal Initiative
Sessa be decries aro ge A. Gonraly ac of
‘noua andntaneaatinprningmnkpricesoandprnedcee peas
‘ng fue perso demands hu before inwraton ae tne ee,
pportnies or such actions have tobe dented. Sponingtete apport fy
ample by ancpting ore ccurstanes happens prem ete eer of
lengerm planing ndofwarningpraceses nthe pence oaeatrescn ot
‘seers. all of helmed regulation apacy ie needed to scconpi a ak
‘equemensandia dea with he siresore Tht dimnishesscaming alone ae
Panning ese and Zap oa)
pees ape
o
Farr and Fort pointed out hat seul work uations cn np oe
‘novation They angel tha an eganiton ms provi some ak talons
nindidl to hink abou theft In station of xeon workload serie
mei only eating on immediate requ no tne snl poses at et or
Inmovee kgs ing
West and lnk ioe described psycho aft” aan important preg
steotindoalionation They ag then wok tuatcnnin cheats
‘el of, and hrestene, oration bees ly ores Seo
‘ih cmtbuteto ach univrable els tere. hey canbe seen ine
hn, one mechanism sugges that reson reduce the hood of ein
“monte fr imation dna, thereby mpedingthee stone
Furthermore. fe assume tha sess make ation reglaton perl re
scl haul soap toimnovate aint atom lnsronen so
"ate imply non routine lndofactions Nexto gol dewlopmenesoncesary o>
gig in ploning. whch neds ets tno ely macnn pls aaa
able These actonsegie ahighamounofestonapecty whch cca
Culncabe elton pares
Imagine» eepionst ofa medial door practice who sequen dificsies
wither compare Busy herself wih he ne consuming neces of ecg
‘bes ad caring on wih he every ark ese ern ocr nae
"sample for implementing changes in wheling atin which mig are
sleady planned wither coeapue. Amb eal sp) sat spge wood
resues and ogazationa mpedonent sch ar onserrasm anormal ga
‘mangement races, obstacles to erent and monstion They arg at
‘he production of more ies reqs time fr the exploration of akerate pos
bes Iworklsd produces me cons crest safer.
‘Thus. firterwayn which tessorsareasmedto negate aft innraion
sndintiaveisby apedingthe development nd cxeuson of plans
“Turningnow othe ervrementl ports ror andi we ave
pointed out that conta at work san important sappor for bath ates, na
ton there maybe interactions with rece high coal t work slows change
‘fenitnmentl condone inorder to redace ornare the averse 18
‘Taas the negate eles of eos on anostion an itae les eee
under high jo contol condor Consequently. jo conta ar ade: postne
fect onmnoraton annie (ow (a Fgure Ronda meeting cor
the reatonshipbecweentessr and both atone) Fre #3).
The Reverse Efet: novation and Personal Iititive Causing Stressors?
Schonpflg an collages argued tht action are or that may thames po
Sac ress an the rblems actions ae orl ae they cane esas
for prepara nd execution, andacson can anicenddly afte oc or
iverson anes (Schone 98,18 Shula Schon ao ese
Zaye nhs secon we low th ine of argumentation anda to
‘Sesion cated by actos can appear smukaneousy wih he ation, o air
wards, wth diferent duration row (in igure 8) Fe. we cone steers
tha emerge concomitant with the acon. We pied ou thet al ston ree
“oguthersoures elt, anime henc thse oo inneaton a
{ie (Fese and 7p tng Aracemequencc operation aie as
‘sional actos tothe regular tans les tie el or aecomplsing those. Ths
‘Galeadto tine peur, which none cae of neraning the relation I ot
pose compenste or the ie deere such nado so, sn
tidal itreedto mate adecsin Berween the para uthe ex glare ep
Uhr sk Then the sida experencs recon, which i nance
‘eguhtionancnainy A farther fetorconeburing tortion uncertain
‘ote ofthe acon theididuallnown what horse wantsoschire within.
“at rita, bt howto ave Ths might cause opaniatonl po
lems or other dsrptions
Furthermore, he socal envionment easton of innovation and nie
uncertain. ven when the oucomts are favorable, he plemented change a
‘hve undesired sd fet, lectin coleague of ones een snl anges ofwrking routines an bea cause fannuyance, Woryingaboutbe opinions ath
sr other negate spores ox he elton cuts. AdSHonly es
Impl the putt ofan ens role ul Ths equeny olen thereg aed
tal ig beens Bound of aathorty which en ete to onfoe ea
emove lager cts of tonaton and inate areal pol, rex
mpl nae can case oe operons in he ong em. seme itn tre
outta and apes anda crnances tained hace
iy teocu, 1 ite pose that the person shows the tame inating,
Imagine your colle startstcheck your ma wh yousrecm station See,
ents the reaing of dens, she ffm the ated people sb dled
arses Since you vad his gh I become ily that she wl erate er
‘wasintally an exer ak at ee tae dette cep sia
tasscan ase role nial Bene of ntiatine dcop especie set
Fanure acon fh ative alague, which ado stuaton hh te ane
san canoe np drop she aol ake
“Tsuna novation and tae ci bth cause wide aay fares,
independent ofthe esol heeded goal emerging dierent pote
inrcaon ofthe acion and witha deen Graton. Ths onorton seas
“pmlc comilerable cot forthe ating aul
Stressors as Options fr Innovation and Personal Initiative
ess research hs demanscated he detent eects of stressor eh, per
formance. andsatlcon (Kal and Byosiee ton 2ap tl. ye) Withour Sy
Ingthe negative ef of ress we now ake the oi ef view hue enone
as he a pn fee because steno ae salen ta reno
ironman ipsa: sg poi othe that fone
“aleve tater mane tose mare to hg oy bee
the stuton iat the sreser Wah the developmen efthsmeel we cage
themalt uf Fucrantfrdcao ena mnotion Fgue adeeb hon ee
nln eine tate
earpeaance ol sro isthe sarig pon aso in Fgura). Frond
ot iao:e Figures elecredtothisasPecesed ned change hee we oa
‘pon fr nina adit Subeguen a ecagning the se soy
an fr serena onsen gal canbe dele To change he ean
‘mein oder oma or ede te eso
Acsionsagnthe resor anbe taken bythe personexpeiecgthe se or
ty sameune ee who iy aera the stl encounter Thee enc enous
rable tane ag between the peep ofthe oon an thetic fasion cee
‘sent ecesny taken nh actual session ths bere ey oko
ren when the tenor operative when thee oom for ght snd ees
"har peuple can become active afer the mere antpuionafs eer seeeay
‘Whether the sresrisactaly alas opporriy br meremiondereen
‘evra nial and sna character As andy pled on coder
rae ey ie
ot eee
‘hom nd motvasonal variables such ati change orientations and cont
‘splrcons ae importa indidslpreegaites or inven and ae. Tht
‘sppleslsotothis set cident of nnonton or ita For example. sin
‘Hsin consider an innovate orate keto put ster we
‘enfin ht he oe bles ner otha 0-manage the saat, tho
‘he or he as ait self We suggest tht these dl hares
function tmadeatorsnthe lather the stn for acy sai
eof opton (arrow (in Figure 2)
urtermore the expliot wish to change he uations crucial preconon or
‘acon. The perceived payod tom change ar Fur and Fondo) named i an Be
‘cgi athe major detent of he deco. Even person sows he
‘mporantndvidsal haters, beorshecan ke adcliseraedeconapet
becoming active. One reason may be te anton of subsequent ses at
esc above Thepopastoosmal when the ntchated sesorsatnegh
beet
"Musther vale nsencing whether a sre is weds en option fr anon
‘onan inane Jb contol The amar the degre ojo como. the more
elit frthendviual aleve the moring routine nc toinerene psa
aster Ths job contol hasta der pose fc on notion andi.
‘ne artow (ia gue $3) anda moderator eet (erow (Figure)
Inthe vious section we described ow ivan nd ative an give se
‘ostressrs. The efecFinsoraton and iniie tess s here sumed beAire a he ates ae ended
intent to emove the senor, ser should
sdeeastinthelongrun gen that theinnnne or ntathe aetna oe
‘dcteroraingecthoweserisarashoresrm comequnce sli
{we and imran: the model on steers opans or innorton se pc
‘cane Figure 3) rele exh co nmorsve end east ce hs
rected aga he reson inconrastoth tc ne model Pye toot,
‘ey acco te and imovation. Thy the model n Pg Ee oda
‘rdasine very pci ease ithe stesor moran Seas earns
novation and Personal initiative as Coping with Stressful Encounters
"pots dese inthe medel an senor san opto fr inoatn an
Sain may rapes mfr he proce top Lasso Roa
(teu kein org dee coping ae penen ceca ee
sd thal rt menage er cra an eee a
‘torintaracagoreseing tee oer
taza pee een wo coping apes ei
fost wpa rg emosons ttc wi setter Repo
‘atm oe on cosa ane ye eal a
satin alteration nse atime apres ae
ten sic cipitation eed her ee ae
wonkelnedatctkmanetl et)
Foland og fdan nd Lara, Flinn a, ig
sete ht ble ce wed mace oy oe
“prshel es changabc; enon ced oping more srong code shee
shevoilcomestscon eehedarenhapeae Hone tone
ine areasvatancoly bth change ed anges
“irs ar nite th tamatin ort ckagenn ses scree
sess he india ewe rah has ade ee ee
Thus imoaton and inte can be gad wea cst eee ee
“vpn. perpen aoe y Bone an Wen at so ne
fuscabadrgesfreqomeruhshavahe- danguithe retires
jee hae al dene rtcen ination sti, cpg
Sox mmainanditite actin hoch mee ae
ant itaecan ake pe withthe palo mang hg bene een
“imperfection, irrespective ofthe existence of stresses, ae
Sse: ter pre nto pesto ila
ve gine sprakon woke who trang sls tomo ee
leg machn fears When he mate ops fone see
ween dco ecomenenothnpshar Wi ing
tofndtbewolerra qu aspen any coleepe snd mea
‘pr andsachesthenerelp rthe dnc mitanotaae aa en
‘othe uni norinave as ts insoebebavon Wha very person. howe cll
‘hetooseerandasistobe ahh tore thermacine then takes
‘sul wesprotie foinedcopng
‘This ample pons to another cal ference besmeen nae nd coping
“Te pero sng tobe able to repr the machine Nase tbe indepen
shetooseersserviceasalang ern foc he prevetsaloss one ete to,
‘Wheeasong term oust cae preventing te occurence te sen
‘sone ofthe aus ofa, senor neces ue coping epg Be
‘ncedto dealing with scirely mani ses,
Inine ad iterative approaches ae unsaly ken when the stor & not
‘tive Ancptn often and aking ree cans rma tee
Ahdinnovaton, The theory of oping hamexc, aes the npn of ses
{redominanly to nepve ematon that ned 0 be des with preserve seams
von ce an na oie pial ad To
Empirical iar longo! adn Fam Germany ee ea)
por te oeip between intovaton, state, and coping The dacasion cone
mpi postive relationship of bodh ates with robles ocwed coping ad
‘egntve one withemanon focused coping ree eal 997 tpt fora Esa
[ESE Cernan sample eoeatons betwen» bal messte of ave ond
phlei traselenpigi voip asaya onsen terre
the corclations withpiske emotion fausedcopngarer= vane ay eth
a nthe se samples the spec mean itt at wok as eae
Shpsofr= igandr= at withprblemfoewedeoping andt™=—agand 18h
{movin ase opng lp) selon wer obained mesure
Ingen wor=ae(bh pes) we smuaon hesed gop Pt
repeon
Empirical Studies on Stressors, Innovation, and Initiative
Uni now empl search pad realy ine tention to pose eaonshis|
‘etucen rears mension and tien hs paragraph we want to review
‘hon ow ten,
Innovation a Part ofan Asignd Task
Amable ion erence oft R&D went ad making employees
Within kl det appensch: epandee were sed tn ep aes of high
nl ow catty By esigomte aly, nda a emer y
romoinand stb ereay were cid Tele free of te ep
‘des neon the etonmenal factor prestre'at promorer fatty
‘hscomtent presse sles tases of ugey tat eral generated om‘omettion with ouside egaiztons, or from a genera dee to accomplish
something important’ Amb, wi 147) Atte sme tne, 3 pee ofthe
‘spndnisderinalvine ress aise in reves une
Ac une ames forthe amount of work to be accompli high quency of
"reign Amabile x8 ih) aan nor of est Tt aly
gs tha prewar an hae both pote and nepaesecs Amable conde
‘hat pressure actor that arte balanced thee nose of te pen
ope may el arte projet susinporane Ime presto steamy
fice people take he spe most urimapnatie out (Amable),
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