ABSTRACT
The impact of job stress on worker productivity has been recognized as an important area of concern for organizations. Negative stress affects the physical and mental health of workers which, in turn, affects their productivity at work. Research on the relationship between stress and work productivity has been overlooked in the work stress literature (Jex, 1998) This case study examines the effect of stress on the productivity of workers in general with the example of SGBCI (Société Générale de Banques en Côte d’Ivoire), a leading financial institution in Côte d’Ivoire. The study used a sample of 32 respondents and used a combination of primary and secondary data to thoroughly examine the relationship between stress and productivity among SGBCI employees.
The research results highlight the negative impact of stress on the productivity of workers within the organization. Primary data, collected through surveys, revealed a significant correlation between perceived stress levels and decreased task performance, reduced creativity, decreased job satisfaction and lower levels of stress. of stress. employee organizational commitment.
These dimensions of productivity were assigned using validated scales adapted to the banking sector. Additionally, secondary data analysis complemented the primary findings by providing insights into the organizational context and relevant stressors specific to the banking sector. Secondary data sources included organizational records, performance measures, and existing literature on stress and productivity in banking. The study identified several factors that acted as potential mediators and moderators in the stress-productivity relationship. Factors such as social support, resource availability, and job characteristics mediate the impact of stress on productivity, indicating that a supportive work environment and sufficient resources can mitigate the harmful effects of stress. on employee productivity.
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.0.Introduction
This chapter consists of the background of the study, the problem statement, purpose and objectives of the study, research questions, significance of the study. Then it continues to address the scope and limitations of the study, organization of the study and it ends with the list of terms.
1.1 Background of the study
It has been acknowledged that job stress plays a role in employee performance. This nation has its root in what is called attention theory. Simply put attention theory asserts that the experience of stress has the effect of reducing on individual ability to concentrate on multiple tasks. Anyone who has worked feverishly to meet a deadline understands this relationship intimately. It has been “standard fare” in basic management training to point out that there exists some optimal level of stress below which employees are unmotivated and above which they are overwhelmed. Unfortunately, managers who attempt to find an optimal stress level for their work group frequently find their effort inconsistent result or downright negative results.
Stress is a universal element and persons from nearly every work of life have to face stress. The universality of stress is such that it is experienced by employees all-round the globe and has become a major problem facing employers, particularly in developing nation where the employers do not realize the impacts of stress on employee productivity.
The work place stress is indeed a costly epidemic, Rebecca Maxan in her article published by FDU magazines in 1999 noted that three out of every four American workers described their work as stressful and the problem is not limited to those shores, in fact occupational stress has been defined as a “global epidemic” by the United Nations international labor organization.
Stress is a factor in every one’s life. Particularly during major events such as marriage divorced or buying a home. But according to the Holmes-Rachs life event scale, which rates the level of stress caused by such event, many of the most stressful events are related to the work place firing business re adjustments, change in financial status line of work, trouble with the boss, varieties in work hours or conditions retirement and vacations.
Surprisingly, stress is not always a bad thing. It can stimulate creativity and productivity. According to Robert Osterman, professor of psychology at FDUS Tecnneck-Hackensack campus, “No one reaches peak performance without being stressed whether an athlete, an office worker or a manager” the natural pattern of human behavior is to experience a stress-causing tension and then return to a normal realized state. The problem occurs when stress is so over whelming or constant that this pattern is broken and that is to say that stress leads to old age. An internationally applicable measure of occupation stress develop by Osterman, named SWS for Situation (s) work (w) and self (s), encompasses all three dimension because Osterman says survey that only look at work factors are not giving the full picture” for factory workers, stress such as dealing with dangerous heavy equipment or working in an uncomfortable environment in contrast office workers are more likely to experience stress that is related to interpersonal relationship on job “people pressures” such as under supervision, tension among team members and fear aversion of conflict can cause stress “for many people, the core of their social life is the people with whom they work with” explains Ostermam” but work is not a socio situation to good relationship such as rumors and power play among executive who are comparing for the next promotion”.
Occupational stress is not related only to what goes on at work conflicts between the demands of the work place and of home life are increasingly common. According to a survey completed for the US department of labor, ten percent (10%) of people who are married or living with children less than 18 years’ experience several work-family conflicts and an additional twenty five percent (25%) report moderate levels of conflict. Definitely, every problem has a corresponding solution, hence some techniques can be implemented to prevent or reduce excessive stress. These techniques and their implementation constitute the process involved in stress managements.
1.2 Statement of the problem
The primary problem this research seeks to solve is the need for a comprehensive understanding of the effect of stress on workers’ productivity. While it is widely recognized that stress negatively impacts productivity, previous studies have often focused on specific dimensions of stress or productivity, neglecting the multidimensional nature of both constructs. By conducting a comprehensive examination, this research aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of how stress influences different aspects of productivity, such as task performance, creativity, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. Such insights will enable organizations to develop targeted strategies to mitigate the detrimental effects of stress and enhance workers’ overall productivity. Hence, the effects of stress on workers’ productivity. Lawal (2006:10) this is the type that leads to anxiety depression, frustration, fatigue and low self-esteem.
Another problem this study aims to address is the identification of potential moderating factors that influence the relationship between stress and productivity. It is essential to consider contextual factors that may alleviate or exacerbate the impact of stress on productivity. Factors like social support, resource availability, and organizational climate can potentially mitigate the negative effects of stress on workers’ productivity. By exploring these moderating factors, the research intends to provide practical guidance to organizations on creating conducive work environments that can buffer the detrimental impact of stress, leading to improved productivity outcomes.
Furthermore, this study aims to investigate potential mediating mechanisms that explain the relationship between stress and productivity. Understanding the underlying processes through which stress affects productivity can provide valuable insights for interventions. For instance, if job satisfaction or psychological well-being is found to mediate the stress-productivity relationship, organizations can focus on implementing strategies that enhance job satisfaction or promote employees’ well-being, ultimately leading to increased productivity. By examining these mediating mechanisms, the research seeks to contribute to the development of evidence-based interventions and strategies that foster a healthier and more productive work environment for employees.
1.3 Purpose and Objectives of the study
The study is aimed an in dept analysis of the workplace stress. Hence, understanding its effects on productivity.
Therefore, the objectives of the study include:
- To have in dept understanding about work stress and know the various type of stress
2.To evaluate the negative and positive effects of stress on workers
3 To understand how stress effects productivity.
1.4 Research questions
The questions that will be asked in this research to enable collection of the required data for the study will include:
- Is stress a necessary condition for the attainment of optimum productivity?
- Does stress encourage productivity in organization?
- Does high or low stress beget high productivity or otherwise?
1.5 Significance of the study
- This study will be of great use to students who want to know about the topic.
- It will also serve as a reference material for future study
- This study will enlighten managers in all field of work and employees all round the globe to add knowledge on this that is studied
- It will widen the horizon and increase the level of understanding on the effects of stress in the area of study
1.6 Scope and limitation of the study
This study is an attempt to provide employers and workers with a frame work of measure which will identify and prevent problem of occupational stress and help to manage them when they do arise, although stress is associated with a number of factors, the scope of this study will be limited to only work-related stress. Furthermore, effect of occupational stress on workers’ productivity using Edwin and Emmanuel table water would be investigated empirically. This will help to put to rest the controversy surrounding the likely effects of stress on workers productivity.
Occupational stress is a common phenomenon in every occupation, the focus of this research shall be on the Nigerian Industries with special interest Edwin and Emmanuel table water. The selection of this sector faces on daily basic especially in recent times with work force cutbacks which could have resulted in greater pressure on remaining workforces with increased work overload or stress.
The research is intended to be elaborated in order to gather diversified opinion on the subject matter and to allow for precision in the identification job related stressors for every individual respondent.
Definitely the study is not without limitations, the limitations include the following
TIME: among all, time is the highest possible limitation to the study. The time available for the study was limited the horizon to which the researcher may wish to expend the study. He will confine all his activities within the given time available for the research.
FINANCE: the fact that the researcher is still a student who has no external financial assistance; he was faced with financial challenge. The researcher is still a student and has no external financial support from any institution, this limits the extent he may wish to carry the research as he will not exceed his financial capabilities.
QUESTIONNAIRE ADMINISTRATION: in the cause of administering the questionnaire, the researcher was not be given adequate attention. This posed a challenge to the efficacy of the study.
LEVEL OF LITERACY OF RESPONDENTS: in the area of study, majority of the employees are just SSCE holders, this posed some limitations to the researcher as it limited the questions to the level they can possibly answer.
1.7 Definitions of terms
STRESS: a physiological and emotional response to stimulate that which places physical or psychological demands on an individual.
STRESS MANAGEMENT: this refers to the wide spectrum of techniques and psychotherapies aimed at controlling a person’s level of stress, especially chronic stress for the purpose of improving functionally on daily basis.
MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES: these are special methods and procedure professionally designed for application to managerial problems by manager in their managerial functions and duties.
PERFORMANCE: this refers to individuals output at a work place.
PRODUCTIVITY: this refers to an organization output calculates thus total production per total input calculated thus: total production per total input (man, materials, money and machines).
EMPLOYEE: individual employed to work in an organization or any given business establishment.
PSYCHOTHERAPIES: these are techniques or procedure that is used as palliatives to any mental emotional or behavioral disorder like those caused by stress.
