The study, titled "Workplace Stress and its Management: A Comparative Study of Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) and Select Companies under the North Eastern Tea Association (NETA)," earned researcher Dr. Pransu Raj Kaushik a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration from Dibrugarh University.

The research examines workplace stress and stress management practices among executives of select NETA member tea companies and Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL).

By comparing the two sectors, the study addresses an important research gap and offers insights that could help organisations improve employee well-being, strengthen human resource policies and enhance workplace productivity.

Tea garden executives play a crucial role in managing plantation operations, overseeing administration and handling workforce-related responsibilities. Despite the critical nature of their role, workplace stress and mental health among tea garden executives have remained relatively unexplored areas of academic research. The study seeks to bring these issues into focus and encourage evidence-based interventions.

The research was conducted under the guidance of Prof. Pratim Barua, Chairperson of the Centre for Management Studies at Dibrugarh University. It is also believed to be the first doctoral study by a Dibrugarh University scholar to include NETA member tea companies as respondent organisations.

NETA said the research reflects the growing collaboration between the tea industry and academia under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the association and Dibrugarh University. The partnership aims to promote joint research, facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen capacity-building initiatives for the tea sector.

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According to NETA, the findings are expected to deepen understanding of workplace stress in the tea industry and encourage greater emphasis on the mental well-being of tea garden executives, contributing to the sector's long-term sustainability, productivity and organisational effectiveness.