AN IN-DEPTH STUDY ON THE NEXUS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL STRESS AND EMPLOYEES' PRODUCTIVITY IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study 

Stress is a physiological response to a situation that is perceived as challenging or threatening to one's well-being. In contemporary culture, stress has become a global occurrence that is seen in various forms across all workplaces. In contemporary work environments, employees commonly work extended hours due to heightened levels of responsibility, which compel them to exert greater effort in order to meet escalating standards of work proficiency. Stress is a ubiquitous element in all aspects of people's lives, since it is a prevalent factor in many forms of job (Etor, 2021).

While stress has both positive and negative elements, it is not inherently negative. Stress leads to a decline in employee performance, an increase in error rate and low quality of work, high staff turnover, and absenteeism due to health issues such as anxiety, work-life imbalance, depression, and various maladies like frequent headaches, obesity, and cardiac arrests. Work stress refers to the psychological and physiological reactions individuals have when faced with work-related demands and pressures that are perceived as beyond their skills, abilities, and resources to effectively manage.

Okoh (2022) states that stress is a significant problem faced by organisations and their employees due to employers not following the International Labour Standards (ILSs) and international best practices, which recommend the implementation of a stress management policy. Consequently, the failure of organisations to adhere to the ILSs and worldwide best practices has resulted in employees encountering various forms of stress while carrying out their duties and obligations (Ahmed, 2019). 

Productivity refers to the level of efficiency exhibited by an employee in their work. A productivity measure is quantified by the ratio of output to input. Enhanced productivity leads to higher achievements while maintaining the same level of input. Productivity encompasses various aspects, including firm productivity, team productivity, and personal productivity.

The lack of adequate stress management in most organisations has resulted in employees displaying symptoms of depression, absenteeism, low job satisfaction, anxiety, and bodily and mental disorder (Odiri, et al, 2019). These issues ultimately lead to decreased employee productivity. Stress is of great importance in enterprises in Cameroon because to the competitive nature of the industry. Therefore, stress management has been a significant topic of concern for both management and researchers (Sahni, 2020). 

1.2 Statement of the problem

Numerous organisations are currently witnessing a significant rise in the detrimental effects of organisational stress on employees' productivity (Obi, 2020). In order to achieve higher productivity, organisations may sometimes burden their personnel with excessive work and reduce work-family interaction, which can have negative mental and physical impacts on employees. Organisational stress is the result of stressors, which are demanding and irrational factors present in the workplace. The stressors encompass, among others, inadequate leadership style, heightened organisational politics, and demanding organisational culture, resulting in escalated dysfunction between employees and the organisation (Arubayi & Ejeta, 2022). 

Additionally, inadequate career advancement opportunities, instances of sexual harassment, and disparities in employee compensation have been identified as factors contributing to heightened organisational stress, which in turn negatively impacts staff productivity. Therefore, if these stressors are not effectively addressed, it will impact the achievement of organisational objectives, leading to subpar performance from both the organisation and its employees. Consequently, this study carried out an in-depth study on the nexus between Organizational Stress and Employees' Productivity in Cameroon.

1.3 Objectives of the Study 

The aim of this study is to carry out an in-depth study on the nexus between organizational stress and employees' productivity in Cameroon. Specifically the study seeks to:

Find out the extent employees experience organizational stress in Cameroon.

Examine the factors responsible for organizational stress in Cameroon.

Examine the effects of organizational stress and employees' productivity in Cameroon.

Assess ways organizational stress can be addressed in order to enhance employees' productivity in Cameroon.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

To what extent do employees experience organizational stress in Cameroon?

What are the factors responsible for organizational stress in Cameroon?

What are the effects of organizational stress and employees' productivity in Cameroon?

What are the ways organizational stress can be addressed in order to enhance employees' productivity in Cameroon?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will validate this study:

Ho1: The extent employees experience organizational stress in Cameroon is low.

Ho2: There are no effects of organizational stress and employees' productivity in Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the study

The main objective of conducting this study is to examine the nexus between organizational stress and employees' productivity in Cameroon. Consequently, it will positively uncover that working individuals from lower to higher pay gainers to go through occupation stress that has incredible effect on the nature of occupation exhibitions as well as the personal satisfaction derived form the job and working condition change at such quick speed, consequently goes along the contemporary difficulties looked by the greater part of us.

The findings of this study may provide valuable insights for employers and policymakers to develop effective strategies for managing work stress and improving employee productivity, ultimately leading to a healthier and more productive workforce.

Finally, it will serve as a reference study for future studies and recommendations by scholars and students alike.

1.7 Scope of the study

This study primarily focuses on the nexus between Organizational Stress and Employees' Productivity in Cameroon. Empirically, this study finds out the extent employees experience organizational stress, the factors responsible for organizational stress, the effects of organizational stress and employees' productivity and ways organizational stress can be addressed in order to enhance employees' productivity.

This study will be carried out in Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

The researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that Organizational Stress and Employees' Productivity in Cameroon discourse is vast thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size covering only residents of Cameroon. Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other regions within Cameroon. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit, despite the constraint encountered during the research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

1.9 Definition of terms

Stress: Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body's reaction to a challenge or demand.

Employee: A person employed for wages or salary, especially at non-executive level.

Performance: The action or process of performing a task or function.

Organizational Stress: Workplace stress refers to the harmful reactions when job requirements do not match the employee's capabilities, resources, or needs.

Productivity: The effectiveness of productive effort, especially in industry, as measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input.

Employee productivity: Employee productivity is an assessment of the efficiency of a worker or group of workers.