The Impact of Stress on Staff Productivity in the Institution of Higher Learning
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this research work include the following:
- To evaluate the impact of stress
- To examine the influence of stress on staff level of productivity.
- To identify the types and nature of stress that may serve as motivations to most staff due to individual differences.
- To evaluate various measures of curtailing staff stress in an organization.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter reviews the literature on the impact of stress on staff productivity in the institutions of higher learning. It discusses issues arising from the topic of discuss as viewed from different perspectives, with a view of giving a theoretical and empirical foundation to the study.
THE CONCEPT OF STRESS
The term stress was first employed in a biological context by the endocrinologist Hans Selye in the 1930s. He later broadened and popularized the concept to include inappropriate physiological response to any demand. In his usage stress refers to a condition and the stressor to the stimulus causing it. It covers a wide range of phenomenon from mild irritation to drastic dysfunction that may cause severe health breakdown. (Wikipedia) According to Robbins (2004), stress is a dynamic condition in which an individual is confronted with opportunity, constraint or demand related to what he desires and for which the outcome is perceived to be both uncertain and important. From this definition one can say that stress is not necessarily bad, it also has a positive value when it offers potential gain. Moorhead and Griffen (1998) also defined stress as a person’s adaptive response to a stimulus that places physical and psychological demands on a person. Similarly, Sherman, Bahlander and Snell (1996), also defined stress as any adjustive demand on an individual caused by physical, emotional or mental factors that requires coping behaviour. Also Taylor Shelley (1995) describes stress as a negative emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological, cognitive and behavioural changes that are directed either toward altering the events or accommodating its effects. Again, Bennett (1994) defines stress as a wide collection of physical and psychological symptoms that results from difficulties experienced by an individual while attempting to adopt to an environment. This means the potential for stress exists when an environmental situation presents a demand threatening to exceed a person’s capabilities and resources. From the above definitions and descriptions stress can best be seen as excessive demands that affect a person physically and psychologically. Thus the mental or physical condition that results from perceived threat or danger and the pressure to remove it.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used the descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to a critical analysis of the impact of stress on staff productivity in the institution of higher learning.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to have a critical analysis of the impact of stress on staff productivity in the institution of higher learning.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations are made, which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefit in addressing the challenges of staff productivity.
Summary
This study aimed at having a critical analysis of the impact of stress on staff productivity in the institution of higher learning. Four objectives were raised to guide the study and these objectives include: To evaluate the impact of stress, to examine the influence of stress on staff level of productivity, to identify the types and nature of stress that may serve as motivations to most staff due to individual differences, to evaluate various measures of curtailing staff stress in an organization.
Conclusion
Based on the above findings pertaining to the objectives of the study the following conclusions are drawn.
On the basis of the survey results it is seen that in the universe of the study the over-all population in the respective hospitals is suffering from lack of span of control over Imtiaz&Ahmad476the work environment, low acceptance for the work done, rigid organizational structure, high unpredictability in job pattern in job, departmental variation in administrator support, inadequate monetary reward, & personal issues are causes of rising stress levels in doctors both medical and house officers alike which ultimately affected their job performance negatively. And the significant view was that the employers; the entire organizational management is not responding to these factor even the financial reforms taken by the Punjab government are not implemented. Devastating long term results can take place lowering the even deplorable state of the government hospitals, however private organizations provided a better environment but the employees articulated even more desperation due to lack of field exposure which risked their career development; this area can further be researched. the management hospital needs to take in immediate reforms in order to have maximum return from their assets.
Recommendation
- Time management training should be given to employees on a continuous basis.
- Managers should invite employees, who think that they are being given jobs that are in contradiction with each other, and clarify their roles.
- Managers should facilitate an employee skill audit that will help to place employees that feel underutilized.
- Managers should revise their decision making strategy.
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