AN EVALUATION OF OFFICE POLITICS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE WORK ENVIRONMENT IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Today, organizations, whether public or private, military or civilian, educational or social, manufacturing or service-oriented, strive to enhance their competitive advantage by delivering superior and high-quality services to their customers or clients (Musk, 2019). An effective approach to maintaining these competitive advantages is to cultivate a proficient and productive human resource. Across all sorts of organisations, there are recurring human resource difficulties that are unavoidable. These challenges include the recruitment of highly skilled people, managing a high turnover rate, offering low compensation, and ensuring consistent employee performance. Without a doubt, human resources management is inevitably influenced by political behaviour among individuals with diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, education levels, and attitudes towards common concerns (Ogwuche, 2017).

Perception of organisational politics is a crucial determinant of employee performance in the workplace. Politics is a ubiquitous occurrence in nearly every organisation. It is improbable for an organisation to be completely free from politics because organisations are social entities where employees work individually and in groups to obtain valuable resources, compete for power and positions, engage in conflicts and their resolution, and employ various influential strategies to gain benefits and serve their own or individual interests (Ogwuche, 2017). Hence, human resource management in both public and private sectors is currently grappling with the significant issue of organisational politics. Karen (2018) argued that organisational politics involves individuals pursuing their own agendas and self-interest within an organisation, without considering how these actions may impact the organization's goals, objectives, or long-term growth and stability.

Workplace politics refers to the manipulative actions taken by employees for personal gain, which may not align with the goals of the group or organisation and can negatively impact its progress (Ireola, 2021). The issue of workplace politics might encompass the presence of unqualified individuals in key positions, erroneous decision-making, inefficient allocation of organisational resources, fraudulent activities, and challenges related to sustainability. An unqualified person may be assigned to a strategic position within an organisation, on the condition that they possess a thorough understanding of the cunning tactics required to obtain it. This will significantly impact an organization's decision-making process, particularly in terms of efficiently utilising available resources and making non-economic decisions (Asaha, 2019). Incorrect decision-making can lead to several negative outcomes such as fraud, theft, resource wastage, and hindered organisational growth (Nat et al., 2021). 

Political dynamics create a detrimental atmosphere in the workplace. When the environment is unfavourable, it negatively impacts the connections among persons (Gbenga, 2019). The individual who engages in political behaviour within the organisation is universally loathed due to their perceived laziness and arrogance. The attitudes of certain employees may be influenced by the political dynamics within the organisation. Even diligent employees may become disinterested in their work and just go to the workplace out of obligation. Internal power dynamics may hinder employees from fully dedicating their attention and commitment to their task. An employee's diligent efforts may be overlooked within a politically motivated organisation, regardless of the amount of hard work they contribute (Nat et al., 2021). An underachiever can gain favouritism from their boss only based on political factors, which in turn can demoralise high-performing individuals (Nat et al., 2021). Engaging in discussions is crucial in the workplace to elicit optimal performance from employees. Assessing the advantages and disadvantages of a concept is always beneficial in the long term. Employees who engage in political behaviour consistently seek opportunities to damage the reputation of their colleagues. Employees experience a decrease in motivation when they are not appropriately rewarded or when those who have not put in sufficient effort receive rewards solely due to political reasons (Chike et al., 2022).

An optimistic work environment is crucial for cultivating employee contentment, efficiency, and overall organisational triumph. It fosters transparent communication, cooperation, and confidence among staff, resulting in enhanced problem-solving, innovation, and productivity (Silas, 2022). Nevertheless, the prevalence of office politics in the workplace can undercut the aforementioned good qualities, resulting in a poisonous atmosphere that impedes organisational success (Zion, 2023). Cameroon's office politics are shaped by the intricate interplay between traditional cultural norms, hierarchical organisational structures, and modern commercial methods, resulting in a distinctive atmosphere. These dynamics have a substantial impact on the work environment, affecting staff morale, productivity, and the overall success of the organisation. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the precise factors that contribute to office politics and its resulting consequences is essential for devising effective methods to minimise their adverse effects and promote a harmonious work environment.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Office politics, which involves the strategic use of power and influence in the workplace, can have a profound impact on the work environment. In Cameroon, similar to other situations, the dynamics of office politics can have an impact on both the efficiency of the organisation and the experiences of its employees. Although office politics is widespread, there is a limited comprehension of its unique impact on workplaces in Cameroon.

Mbonda (2023) asserts that the cultural norms of Cameroon, which frequently prioritise robust communal bonds and connections, might unintentionally foster favouritism and nepotism. Although deeply rooted in culture, these behaviours have a significant impact on organisational politics and the sense of an unjust work environment. According to Michael (2020), political behaviour within organisations is generally motivated by the pursuit of personal ambitions, power, and recognition. Employees may employ tactics such as manipulation, lobbying, and alliance-building to fulfil their desires, often disregarding organisational goals and teamwork. Amadi & Aregbesola (2018) assert that economic instability and restricted job possibilities exacerbate competitiveness among staff, leading to office politics in Nigerian institutions. This intense competition motivates individuals to participate in political activities in order to safeguard their positions and further their professional growth. Furthermore, the absence of openness in organisational processes and decision-making leads to the emergence of ambiguity and confusion. This context fosters political conduct as employees want to acquire knowledge and exert influence over decisions in order to benefit themselves (Mbonda, 2023).

The influence of internal power dynamics on the professional atmosphere in Cameroon is a multifaceted issue that has not been extensively investigated. Office politics can erode organizational unity, result in unjust treatment, and reduce overall job contentment. This issue is exacerbated by cultural, structural, and economic elements specific to the Cameroonian environment. This study aims to assess the impact of office politics on the work environment in Cameroon.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically evaluate office politics and their effect on work environment in Cameroon. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To explore the forms of office politics prevalent in Cameroonian organizations.

To evaluate the effect of office politics on overall work environment in Cameroonian organizations.

To evaluate the effect of office politics on employee morale and job satisfaction in Cameroonian organizations

To evaluate the effect of office politics on employee trust and collaboration in Cameroonian organizations

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions which are in line with the objectives of this study will be answered in this study:

What are the forms of office politics prevalent in Cameroonian workplace?

What is the effect of office politics on overall work environment in Cameroonian organizations?

What is the effect of office politics on employee morale and job satisfaction in Cameroonian organizations?

What are the effect of office politics on employee trust and collaboration in Cameroonian organizations?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

To determine the effectiveness of this study, the following research null hypotheses will be formulated to guide the study and it will be tested at 0.05% levels of significance.:

Ho: Organizational politics have no significant effect overall work environment in Cameroonian organizations.

Ha: Organizational politics have significant effect on overall work environment in Cameroonian organizations.

1.6 Significance of the study

The importance of this study is in its capacity to tackle the difficulties presented by organisational politics and provide practical remedies for enhancing workplace dynamics. The research is to analyse the factors that influence political behaviour in Cameroonian organisations and examine its consequences. The objective is to optimise organisational efficiency, boost employee welfare, and foster a fair and productive work atmosphere. 

This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of workplace politics within the particular setting of Cameroon. The research provides a detailed analysis of how office politics is observed in Cameroonian organisations and its effects on the work environment, offering a comprehensive comprehension of this intricate phenomenon. Acquiring a more profound comprehension of this subject is essential for formulating precise interventions and tactics to properly handle and navigate office politics.

Moreover, the dynamics of the workplace can be strongly influenced by office politics, which can impact employee morale, trust, and collaboration. The study seeks to assess the impact of office politics on the work environment in order to identify particular obstacles and opportunities for enhancement. This revelation can assist organisations in establishing more favourable and encouraging work environments, hence improving total employee contentment and involvement.

Moreover, the results of this study will offer useful insights to managers and organisational leaders regarding strategies to navigate and alleviate the impact of office politics. Gaining insight into the essence and consequences of office politics empowers leaders to develop superior management practices, including open and honest communication, equitable incentive systems, and effective dispute resolution procedures. This can result in enhanced organisational performance and a more unified team atmosphere.

Additionally, the study's findings will provide valuable information for policymakers and organisational leaders, enabling them to create legislation and implement strategies that effectively mitigate the detrimental impact of office politics. This entails formulating explicit principles for ethical conduct, implementing rigorous protocols for managing conflicts, and fostering an environment characterised by equity and openness. Implementing such policies can promote a fair and efficient work environment.

This research contributes to the existing academic literature on office politics by offering a detailed analysis that is relevant to the situation of Cameroon. The results will enhance the overall comprehension of workplace dynamics in various cultural and organisational contexts, enhancing theoretical models and providing a foundation for future investigations. The study's findings will be highly beneficial for scholars with a keen interest in organisational behaviour and management techniques.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically evaluate office politics and their effect on work environment in Cameroon. Specifically, this study seeks to explore the specific forms of office politics prevalent in Cameroonian organizations and evaluate the effect of office politics on overall work environment in Cameroonian organizations. 

Further, this study will focus on evaluating the effect of office politics on employee morale and job satisfaction in Cameroonian organizations and it also seeks to evaluate the effect of office politics on employee trust and collaboration in Cameroonian organizations.

 The study is carried out in Cameroon. 

1.8 Limitations of the study

As with any human endeavour, the researchers faced many minor constraints during the investigation. The main limitation was the lack of extensive literature on the subject, due to the limited availability of data regarding the assessment of office politics and their impact on the work environment in Cameroon. Consequently, a significant allocation of time and energy was necessary to ascertain appropriate resources, books, or information and gather data. 

Furthermore, this study is constrained by its small sample size and narrow geographical scope, focussing solely on Cameroon. Therefore, the conclusions of this study cannot be extended to other situations, thus requiring further investigation. 

Moreover, the researcher's restrictions were primarily due to financial constraints, as they are a student without any source of income to sustain themselves. The exorbitant transportation charges at the research location posed a challenge in covering the expenses for transportation fees.

Furthermore, the researcher faced a time constraint due to the need to do this research while still fulfilling the obligations of attending lectures and participating in other educational activities.

1.9 Definition of terms

Politics: Politics is activities aimed at improving someone's status or increasing power within an organization.

Organizational politics: Also known as office politics and workplace politics, it involves the use of power and social networking within a workplace to achieve changes that benefit individuals within it.