CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
According to Sely (1976) it is widely accepted that the development of stress reaction or symptoms is a functions of factors operating in the internal environment. The nature of the interaction between these variables will determine the prevalence, cause and consequences of stress relation.
There is stress associated with individual, group, organization and extra-organisational actors. On the individual factors, stress can be associated with personal characteristics and life career stages. On the group factors, these include lack of group cohesiveness, lack of social support, inter-personal and inter-group conflict. Thus the effectiveness of employees in any institution is influenced by the nature of relations among groups. The organizational factor related to conflicting policies, ill-defined responsibilities and authorities, poor physical working condition.
While the extra-organisational factors are associated with societal and technological changes, family situations, poor residential conditions etc. stress may have be neticial as well as adverse effects in the long run. The organism in individuals grows in adaptive capacity through its encounter with stress and faced with blend safe environment. Thus, we can see in every phase of the development of life, from infancy through adolescence, from the struggle to learn to work to earn one’s living, we can attest to the fact that stress is involved in the development of all personal growth. Therefore, since stress has so much on the past of human life, we need to be able to adapt to it if we are to continue to function.
However, despite the draw back of stress, it is not altogether bad for individual employees or their overall organizational performance. Infact, it is generally recognized that at least low level of stress can enhance job performance. This low level of stress required is referred to as “eu-stress” (a Greek word meaning good) Selye (1976). There is therefore the need to understand the term “stress” through the knowledge of the subjects and the practical application of appropriate strategies as to how to either cope without manage stress. This forms the basis for this current study, as it will give the research the opportunity of sampling opinion of different personalities working with Delta state polytechnic, OgwuashiUku.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Working at the tertiary level is an inherently stressful profession with?
1. Long working hours.
2. Heavy workloads.
3. Difficult students and
4. Conflicting demands.
The physical and psychology demands of workers at the tertiary level of education make them more vulnerable to high levels of stress. The effect of stress are evidenced as increased errors in memoranda, high medical bills, lateness to work, low productivity and increased sick leaves. Despite the extremely negative effects of stress on the human body and work performance, many organizations, with Delta State Polytechnic not being an exception has not put in any concrete measures to address these stress-related conditions that negatively affect productivity.
1.3 PURPOSE OF STUDY
The purpose of this study are:
1. In partial fulfillment of the B.Sc degree in Business Administration, Delta State University Asaba Campus, Asaba.
2. To assess the effect of workload on employees performance.
3. To assess the effect of stress on workers in the performance of their job.
4. To examine the support for those people who are suffering from stress.
5. To assess how work related stress can affect the health of workers.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Based on the objectives of the study, the specific research questions to which answers were sought are:
1. What factors contribute to low productivity among staff of organization?
2. Are there any strategies which could be adopted to prevent or reduce stress among staff of Delta state polytechnic?
3. What can be done to help staff of Delta state polytechnic with stress related problems?
4. Does job stress have any effect on the health or Delta state polytechnic staff?
1.5. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It has been observed that there is a shortage or inadequacy of literature relevant, specifically, to stress management in Nigeria business organizations. Therefore believe that this research report will be relevant to existing literature in such area.
Furthermore, it is also expected that the research report will be significant to the management and employees of Delta state polytechnic, Delta state and similar organization as a working material relevant to decisions on stress management and control. Arguments presented and analysis made will surely province useful aids to decisions-making on stress management in most institutions especially the polytechnics. Moreover, the above is the expectation that the research will be significant in sensitizing polytechnic executives on the importance of ensuring an efficient stress management strategy.
Conclusively, the significance of this research work in line with fulfilling an academic requirement, which is a pre-requisite for the award of a post graduate diploma (PGD) in management science cannot be overemphasized.
1.6. SCOPE OF THE STUDY.
This research work is mainly concerned with the effect of stress on employee performance in the institution, laying more emphasis on a polytechnic setting like Delta state polytechnic, Delta state.
In this case, the researcher only based the research work on the scanty data which were supplied to him by the management of Delta state polytechnic, Delta state. Due to fear of competing firms and relinquishing vital data which could be within reach of their competitors.
1.7. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The researcher was unable to lay hands on some recent publications on stress due to logistics and financial constraints. It has not been easy to always travel. These limitations were however minimized through the support of an insider.
Finally, efforts were made to reduce the effect of these limitations through quality and ardent supervision at various stages of this research work
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