ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE ON EMPLOYEES JOB SATISFACTION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Workplace violence has been a subject of significant interest among researchers for many years, resulting in numerous scholarly articles across all sectors. Violence can manifest in various forms, encompassing physical assault as well as verbal abuse towards an individual. Violence is a broad and inclusive behaviour that includes all forms of mistreatment and harm( ). Various researchers have provided distinct definitions of violence. According to most definitions, acts of violence in the workplace, such as murder, physical assault, verbal threats, bullying, and similar behaviours, are emphasised ( , 2020). Beyond that, violence encompasses all actions that result in the humiliation, degradation, or harm to an individual's well-being, worth, and dignity (Fletcher, Cavanaugh, & Brakel, 2020). Similarly, the United States' Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 defines violence as any behaviour that may lead to harassment, intimidation, physical violence, or any other form of threatening and disruptive conduct that takes place at work places. It may manifest as threats, verbal maltreatment, or even murder. The issue of physical and psychological violence has received significant attention in both developing and wealthy countries (Di Martino et al., 2023). Furthermore, according to Richards (2018), workplace violence refer to situations where employees are subjected to abuse, threats, or physical assault in connection to their job, particularly while travelling to and from work. Acts of violence in the workplace have detrimental impacts on both the productivity of a business and its employees.  Instances of violence occurring inside the domestic and security sectors have been extensively documented in literature (Ansorg and Gordon, 2019; Ahmad et al., 2016). The construction sector, like other industries, is often linked to various manifestations of violence. The strenuous nature of construction labour and the stress experienced in the workplace often contribute to a higher likelihood of substance and alcohol use and misuse (Adebayo and Emoh,2019). Additionally, Asilian-Mahabadi et al (2018) asserts that construction site workers consist of individuals with a wide range of characteristics, temperaments, ages, physical abilities, cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, and levels of experience. These workers may exhibit varying responses to different situations, particularly when faced with potential dangers. Garber (2019) states that the Occupational Safety and Health Act helps contractors in managing and reducing dangers at construction sites. However, beyond the hazards present in the workplace, there exists the lesser-known yet equally perilous danger of workplace violence (Garber, 2019). Due to the high-pressure nature of the construction sector, confrontations are likely to arise, resulting in verbal threats, shouting, cursing, fights, inflamed tempers, and other acts of violence (Kennedy, 2018). Although facing these challenges, it is remarkable that the construction industry is not commonly regarded as one of the industry sectors most frequently impacted by workplace violence. However, it is important to note that there are numerous incidents that happen but are not officially documented (Kennedy, 2018). It is crucial to acknowledge that the majority of these aggressive acts, if left unaddressed, might result in hazardous behaviours that may ultimately give rise to significant problems such as job dissatisfaction, conflict and harassments on building sites. Prior research has primarily concentrated on investigating the factors that contribute to unsafe behaviours in construction projects (Asilian-Mahabadi et al., 2018), analysing the intricacies of unsafe behaviours within construction teams (Li et al., 2018), and conducting a comprehensive examination of the factors that influence unsafe behaviours and accidents on construction sites (Khosravi et al., 2018). Only a small number of studies have specifically examined the characteristics of violence related to the construction profession. This study will therefore carried out a survey  in order to assess the impact of workplace violence on employees job satisfaction in the construction industry in Cameroon.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Workplace violence have detrimental effects on both individuals and companies. The repercussions of workplace violence encompass both psychological and physiological consequences, including the development of stress illnesses (Leymann and Gustafsson, 2021). In addition, psychological aggression, although not readily apparent, can be highly destructive (Namie and Namie, 2020). Historically, physical violence has received more recognition and attention in comparison to psychological violence among employees in construction industry. Furthermore, workplace violence can arise from various factors. It could be a case of indiscriminate aggression perpetrated by an unstable individual or someone under the influence of drugs, or it could be violence employed as a means of intimidation to get a certain objective or consequence. It could also be due to uncontrolled actions of irritation, such as prolonged discomfort, wrath, or conflicts arising from cultural or religious differences among workers ( , 2015). In the workplace, particularly on construction sites, aggressive conduct occurs when someone utilises threatening rhetoric, heavy breathing, or silence to frighten another person (Lo et al., 2022; Hanley et al., 2008).Instances of sexual harassment against women are frequently documented on construction sites (Lo et al., 2022; Hanley et al., 2018). Navarro-Astor et al. (2019) reported that women employed in the construction business are subjected to and must tolerate this type of aggressive conduct.Construction workers frequently engage in violent behaviours such as throwing objects or engaging in vandalism with the intention of threatening the life of staff members (Lo et al., 2022; Hanley et al., 2018; ILO, 2021). However, it is the responsibility of management to guarantee that such violent behaviours and acts are prevented from occurring (ILO, 2021). Thus, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to assess the impact of workplace violence on employees job satisfaction in the construction industry in Cameroon.

1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the impact of workplace violence on employees job satisfaction in the construction industry in Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

Determine the prevalence of workplace violence among employees in the construction industry in Cameroon. 

Examine whether there is a relationship between workplace violence and employees' job satisfaction. 

Identify the factors contributing to workplace violence in the construction industry industry in Cameroon. 

Propose strategies to mitigate workplace violence among employees in the construction sector.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What is the prevalence of workplace violence among employees in the construction industry in Cameroon?

Is there a relationship between workplace violence and employees' job satisfaction?

What are the factors contributing to workplace violence in the construction industry industry in Cameroon? 

What are the strategies to mitigate workplace violence among employees in the construction sector?

1.5  Research Hypotheses

H0: There is no significant impact of workplace violence on employees job satisfaction in the construction industry in Cameroon.

Ha: There is a significant impact of workplace violence on employees job satisfaction in the construction industry in Cameroon.

1.6  Significance of the Study

This study findings will provide project managers and safety officers a crucial aspect to consider when dealing with the challenges of violent and hazardous behaviours on construction sites. Also, when devising strategies to raise awareness and successfully address the issue of violence on the site, it is important to take into account the specific characteristics of each worker. The study will help management to understand the need to create and promote policies and rules on worksite violence in order to foster a culture that is free from violence among employees at the site. Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to the impact of workplace violence on employees job satisfaction in the construction industry in Cameroon.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on the impact of workplace violence on employees job satisfaction in the construction industry in Cameroon. Empirically, the study will determine the prevalence of workplace violence among employees in the construction industry in Cameroon, examine the relationship between workplace violence and employees' job satisfaction, identify the factors contributing to workplace violence in the construction industry industry in Cameroon and propose strategies to mitigate workplace violence among employees in the construction sector.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to employees of some selected construction companies in Yaounde, Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Workplace violence: any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other aggressive behavior that occurs in or is related to the workplace (Al-Shiyab & Ababneh, 2018)

Construction industry:  a sector of the economy that deals with the designing, building, and maintenance of physical structures such as buildings, infrastructure, and facilities.

Harassment: any unwelcome or offensive behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.