AN INVESTIGATION ON THE INFLUENCE OF OFFICE POLITICS ON EMPLOYEE MORALE AND PRODUCTIVITY IN CAMEROONIAN ORGANIZATIONS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The intricate nature of the office environment necessitates a careful equilibrium between priorities, human relationships, and resources. Municipal office managers typically bear the weight of maintaining a positive atmosphere when it comes to workplace politics. If the office politics turn unfavourable, it could spread across the work environment, leading to possible anger, anxiety, and the formation of work silos (Zoey, 2023). An antagonistic work atmosphere, sustained by rumours and conflicts for control, engenders distrust and elevated rates of employee attrition. Employee anxiety, resulting from workplace disagreements, leads to a decrease in engagement and productivity. Moreover, the creation of work silos, which are caused by a lack of trust or efficient communication, hinder the exchange of information and collaboration, resulting in several inefficiencies (Zoey, 2023: Barry, 2021).  

Politics is an integral aspect of human existence. Politics is perceived by many as an inevitable aspect of society that is not inherently negative (Aransyah & Hetami, 2021). Politics in the workplace can be contentious as individuals frequently strive to assert dominance over their colleagues. Reactions to such endeavours are not consistently favourable. Some persons choose to maintain a neutral stance in order to avoid involvement in office politics. Nevertheless, several persons who have firsthand encounters with workplace politics assert that it is not feasible to just abstain from engaging in political activities (Postma, 2021). Despite the capacity to jeopardise one's professional trajectory, office politics continue to exert a significant influence in the workplace. Hence, certain individuals suggest that it is more prudent for one to strategically leverage office politics for personal gain (Postma, 2021). Workplace politics can have negative effects on workers, but they can also be advantageous for advancing individual interests. Office politics refers to the utilisation of authority and influence in the workplace to get personal benefits or accomplish personal objectives (Elton, 2022). These actions encompass communication, propaganda, information retrieval, forming alliances, and strategic information withholding for gaining an advantage over others. Workplace politics can manifest in both positive and negative ways, depending on the management and motivation of individuals involved (Ladi et al., 2021). Positive workplace politics can foster a culture of healthy competition, enhance communication and collaboration, and enhance the quality of decision-making. Unfavourable workplace politics, conversely, can result in distrust, discord, and a noxious work atmosphere (Elton, 2022). Effectively managing workplace politics and fostering a harmonious working environment are crucial for promoting understanding among individuals and organisations (Ferris et al., 2019). The workplace can provide difficulties, particularly in organisations that include a diverse range of cultures. When individuals with diverse origins and cultures collaborate, it can lead to divergent viewpoints, values, and beliefs, resulting in a complex situation that can greatly affect employees' work-life balance and overall job satisfaction.

While a minority may hold the belief that one may leverage office politics to their benefit, the prevailing consensus is that workplace politics have a significant impact on employee productivity, job satisfaction, engagement, dedication, and other factors that influence performance levels. Employee engagement and commitment are prominent topics in research on human resource management and organisational behaviour. Research has shown that corporate politics have detrimental consequences on several outcomes such as burnout, stress, work satisfaction, commitment, and turnover intentions (Landells & Albrecht, 2019). The reason is that organisational politics involves interpersonal interactions and the exertion of authority. As to the findings of Adams et al. (2021), the overall political behaviour inside an organisation encompasses the act of exerting influence over individuals and events in order to achieve personal objectives, promote organisational objectives, or safeguard self-centred interests. These political behaviours are likely to result in a conflict of interests, which impacts the way employees interact and engage with each other and their employers. An exemplary instance is demonstrated by Postma (2021), who recounts being terminated under the pretence of financial constraints. Indeed, there was a figure of power who desired the removal of this employee.

The aforementioned case demonstrates the inevitability of office politics, even for individuals who choose not to participate in them. Self-serving leaders have the ability to prioritise their own interests, disregarding the well-being of personnel, including those who are not directly engaged in political activities. Consequently, numerous employees are compelled to engage in politics in order to safeguard their interests. Employees that excessively engage in office politics allocate less time to productive work activities (Aransyah & Hetami, 2021). Consequently, the organisation also experiences the adverse effects of negative business politics. Office politics, which is commonly defined as conflicts for power, bias towards certain individuals, and the impact of personal connections on decision-making in the workplace, is a prevalent problem in numerous organisations globally. Within Cameroonian organisations, the study of office politics' influence on staff morale and productivity is crucial because to its capacity to alter organisational efficiency, employee happiness, and overall business performance.

Employee morale, which refers to the collective perspective, disposition, contentment, and assurance experienced by employees in the workplace, is a pivotal determinant impacting productivity. Elevated morale is generally associated with increased production, ingenuity, and a propensity to exceed expectations in one's position. On the other hand, a lack of motivation can result in reduced efficiency, more frequent absences, and elevated rates of employee turnover. In settings characterised by pervasive workplace politics, employees may have feelings of being underappreciated, lacking motivation, and experiencing high levels of stress. This can result in a noxious work environment, where trust is undermined, collaboration is hindered, and overall organisational unity is diminished. The detrimental impact on employee morale might directly result in decreased productivity, as individuals may prioritise navigating the political environment over fulfilling their job duties.

Cameroon, similar to numerous other nations, possesses a distinct socio-cultural and economic milieu that influences organisational behaviour. The presence of traditional hierarchical systems, ethnic variety, and differing levels of economic development in different regions can all contribute to the emergence and effects of office politics in Cameroonian organisations. Gaining insight into the impact of office politics on staff morale and productivity in Cameroonian organisations is crucial for optimising organisational effectiveness, enhancing employee well-being, and informing policy and practice. This study seeks to elucidate the complex dynamics of office politics inside Cameroonian organisations and their ramifications for employee morale and productivity. The study aims to address these concerns in order to foster the creation of fairer and more efficient employment conditions in Cameroon.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Office politics refers to the strategic manoeuvring and power plays that occur inside organisational contexts. It is a widespread issue that affects workplaces worldwide. Within Cameroonian organisations, the impact of office politics on staff morale and productivity poses a multifaceted challenge that has not been thoroughly investigated and is not well comprehended.

Office politics frequently garners unfavourable attention from different sources, often branding it as hazardous for both employers and employees. Nevertheless, a consensus among scholars exists that organisational behaviours are inherently political and hence cannot be avoided in reality (Bashir et al., 2019). Organisational leaders must recognise and take steps to prevent the negative impact of politics on the company and its employees. Employers are apprehensive about the productivity of their personnel. The success of a corporation is heavily reliant on the presence and quality of its human capital. Consequently, it is anticipated that companies will take steps to establish a conducive climate that promotes high performance. In this scenario, the careful management of morale and productivity is crucial to ensure the success of the organisation. 

There is a limited amount of research available on the connections between workplace politics, morale, and productivity. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognise that certain scholars have attempted to establish connections between office politics and both employee engagement and staff commitment. Landells and Albrecht (2019) investigate engagement as a primary consequence of organisational politics, in addition to stress and job meaningfulness. These experts assert that politics diminish participation. Adams et al. (2021) have investigated the relationship between business politics and organisational commitment, finding that politics had a negative impact on job satisfaction and staff commitment. These examples provide a limited selection of circumstances in which research has examined the subject of office politics. 

Although there is a significant amount of research on office politics, there is a lack of empirical information that specifically examines its impact within organisations in Cameroon. The lack of understanding in this area is especially important considering the distinct socio-cultural and economic context of Cameroon, which impacts workplace dynamics in a manner distinct from other locations. Although there have been international studies on the overall influence of office politics, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the specific consequences it has on staff morale and productivity in Cameroonian organisations. The lack of research in this area hinders the capacity of organisational leaders, policymakers, and researchers to effectively tackle the difficulties related to office politics. Hence, the necessity for doing this investigation.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically investigate the influence of office politics on employee morale and productivity in Cameroonian organization. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To investigate the prevalence and forms of office politics in Cameroonian organizations.

To assess the impact of office politics on employee morale and productivity in Cameroonian organizations

To assess the impact of office politics on employee engagement in Cameroonian organizations

To explore the coping mechanisms employees, use to deal with office politics in Cameroonian organizations

To recommend strategies for minimizing the negative effects of office politics on morale and productivity 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 prevalent forms of office politics in Cameroonian organizations?

What is the impact of office politics on employee morale and productivity in Cameroonian organizations?

What is the impact of office politics on employee engagement in Cameroonian organizations?

What are the coping mechanisms employees, use to deal with office politics in Cameroonian organizations?

What are the strategies for minimizing the negative effects of office politics on morale and productivity 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: Office politics have no significant impact on employee morale and productivity in Cameroonian organizations.

Ha: Office politics have significant impact on employee morale and productivity in Cameroonian organizations.

1.6 Significance of the study

This study holds significant value for several stakeholders, including organisational leaders, employees, policymakers, and scholars in Cameroon and other locations. 

The study seeks to investigate the relationship between office politics and productivity, with the objective of acquiring a more comprehensive comprehension of how political behaviour impacts work performance. This comprehension will aid businesses in detecting and addressing inefficiencies stemming from internal power dynamics, hence enhancing overall performance. The study's findings will offer practical recommendations for managing office politics, potentially leading to more effective strategies for improving productivity. Organisations will be better equipped to implement actions that reduce the negative impact of office politics on their operations.

Furthermore, understanding the influence of office politics on employee morale would offer valuable understanding of the factors that contribute to job dissatisfaction and disinterest. By gaining this comprehension, companies may create a more supportive and positive work environment, fostering higher employee morale and reducing staff turnover.

Furthermore, the study will clarify the barriers and hindrances faced by industrial firms while implementing effective internal audit procedures. Acquiring a thorough comprehension of these challenges will provide useful knowledge on how firms may efficiently address and overcome concerns related to resources, skills, and compliance. Organisations can improve employee well-being, motivation, job satisfaction, and overall workplace happiness by addressing the root causes of low morale related to office politics through the implementation of suitable policies and procedures.

Furthermore, policymakers and organisational leaders will get evidence-based knowledge that can inform the development of policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of office politics. This can lead to the creation of effective governance and management systems that promote fairness and transparency. The study's recommendations may guide the implementation of broader organisational reforms aimed at reducing office politics and fostering a more ethical and collaborative work environment.

This study will provide a significant contribution to the academic literature on office politics and organisational behaviour by conducting a focused examination of organisations in Cameroon. This study will address a significant gap in research and provide a foundation for future enquiries into similar patterns in many cultural and economic contexts. The findings will offer actual data that can enhance existing concepts of workplace politics, particularly with reference to employee morale and productivity. This effort will improve the theoretical understanding and encourage further research in this subject.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically investigate the influence of office politics on employee morale and productivity in Cameroonian organization. Specifically, this study seeks to investigate the prevalence and forms of office politics in Cameroonian organizations, assess the impact of office politics on employee morale and productivity in Cameroonian organizations and assess the impact of office politics on employee engagement in Cameroonian organizations. 

Further, this study will focus on exploring the coping mechanisms employees, use to deal with office politics in Cameroonian organizations and it also seeks to recommend strategies for minimizing the negative effects of office politics on morale and productivity in Cameroonian organizations.

 The study is carried out in Cameroon. 

1.8 Limitations of the study

Like any human attempt, the researchers encountered several small limitations during the examination. The primary constraint was the scarcity of comprehensive literature on the topic, resulting from the limited accessibility of data for a study on the influence of office politics on employee morale and productivity in Cameroonian organisations. Therefore, a substantial investment of time and effort was required to determine the suitable materials, books, or information and gather data. 

Moreover, this study is limited by its limited sample size and restricted geographical emphasis, specifically targeting just Cameroon. Hence, the findings of this study are not applicable to different scenarios, necessitating additional research. 

Furthermore, the limitations faced by the researcher were predominantly a result of budgetary restraints, as they are a student with no means of financial support. The excessive transportation charges at the research location presented a difficulty in meeting the expenses for transportation.

In addition, the researcher encountered a time limitation as a result of the necessity to carry out this study while simultaneously meeting the requirements of attending lectures and engaging in other educational endeavors.

1.9 Definition of terms

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

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

Productivity: Productivity is the efficiency of production of goods or services expressed by some measure. Measurements of productivity are often expressed as a ratio of an aggregate output to a single input or an aggregate input used in a production process, i.e. output per unit of input, typically over a specific period of time.