OFFICE POLITICS: EXAMINING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS ON EMPLOYEES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY OF CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Politics inside an organisation is unavoidable and has a substantial influence on the level of employee engagement in their employment (Gull & Zaidi, 2022). Without a doubt, human resources management is inevitably affected by the presence of political behaviour among employees with diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, education levels, and interests in common activities. Ogwuche (2018) argues that unrestricted politics within organisations is nearly impossible due to the nature of these social entities. In organisations, employees engage in individual and/or collective efforts to acquire resources, power, and influence in order to obtain benefits and serve their own self-interests. Furthermore, politics encompasses the human factor, and the resulting relationships are inherently political. These relationships need to be carefully regulated and treated with honesty and maturity to prevent them from spiralling out of control (Krietner & Kinicki, 2018).

Office politics is an intrinsic and frequently unexpressed element of the contemporary workplace, where the dynamics of human contact collide with the pursuit of professional objectives. The realm described is a complex and convoluted network where goals, personalities, and power conflicts intertwine, sometimes quietly and other times openly, resulting in a web of influence and intrigue (Gull & Zaidi, 2022). The dynamics of office politics can have both positive and negative effects. Networking can serve as a catalyst for job advancement, enabling individuals to succeed by forming strategic partnerships, utilising their influence, and obtaining assistance from colleagues and superiors. 

Nevertheless, office politics can give rise to disputes, undermine trust, and establish a setting where individual interests frequently outweigh shared objectives. In order to effectively navigate office politics, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of its fundamental principles. Aronow (2019) posits that the psychology underlying office politics is fundamentally ingrained in human nature. The workplace provides a conducive environment for individuals to manifest their inherent cravings for acknowledgement, authority, and impact. Individuals participate in office politics for diverse motives, such as seeking professional acclaim, reacting to rivalry, or responding to perceived unfairness. On the other hand, both individuals and groups participate in office politics, which have a highly detrimental effect when individuals prioritise personal benefits over the aims of the organisation (Attah, 2019). Similarly, Karen (2018) stated that office politics refers to the act of individuals pursuing their own personal agendas and self-interest within an organisation, without considering how these actions may impact the organization's attempts to attain its goals and objectives. 

Office politics refers to the manipulative actions of individuals within the workplace, driven by personal gain, which may conflict with the goals of the group and organisation. These actions can ultimately impact an employee's job performance (Bryson, Freeman, Lucifora, Pellizzari & Perotin, 2021).  Employee attitudes towards work are mostly shaped by their perceptions of office politics. Consequently, it is crucial for management to adeptly manage diverse power dynamics to minimise employee turnover and discontent. According to Al-Qatawneh (2018), political behaviour within an organisation refers to the actions and behaviours that employees see as being politically motivated. These actions can have either beneficial or bad consequences. 

An important concern recognised by numerous experts is the presence of poor political conduct or manipulation, which detrimentally impacts employee productivity as a result of conflicts, animosity, and hostility arising from a hostile work environment. If not effectively handled, this can lead to decreased productivity in the workplace. Cacciattolo (2019) identifies several issues associated with office politics, including the placement of unqualified individuals in key positions, erroneous decision-making, misallocation of organisational resources, instances of fraud, and challenges related to sustainability. An unqualified person may be assigned to a critical position in an organisation if 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. Incorrect decision-making can lead to several negative consequences such as fraud or misappropriation, inefficient use of resources, and hindered organisational growth (Aronow, 2019). However, these challenges have been widespread in various organisational contexts, work environments, industries, and geographical locations, as evidenced by existing studies (Bryson et al., 2021; Gull & Zaidi, 2020; Ogwuche, 2019). Nevertheless, it is worth noting that such difficulties may differ or may not be present when evaluated in other locations. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the psychological effects of office politics on employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon.

Statement of the Problem

In the hospitality sector, where teamwork and customer satisfaction are of utmost importance, the existence of office politics hinders the establishment of healthy working relationships and contributes to a difficult work environment. Employees in this industry frequently have the simultaneous challenges of upholding elevated customer service benchmarks and navigating the internal dynamics of the organisation. The dynamics of office politics intensify these demands, resulting in a variety of psychological problems. For example, the necessity of consistently overseeing one's reputation and affiliations can lead to persistent tension and exhaustion (Pollock, et al., 2022). This stress has a detrimental effect on individuals' job happiness and overall mental health, impairing their capacity to operate efficiently. 

Moreover, the fiercely competitive environment of the hospitality industry intensifies the impact of office politics. Employees feel obligated to participate in political activities in order to obtain promotions, favourable work schedules, or acknowledgement. This fosters a highly competitive environment where coworkers are seen as rivals rather than partners. This type of atmosphere fosters a sense of seclusion and unease, as employees may find it difficult to have confidence in their colleagues and supervisors (MacGregor-Serven, 2018). The need for constant attentiveness in navigating complex political circumstances can lead to mental fatigue and undermine the sense of camaraderie and support that is essential for fostering a strong working culture. 

Furthermore, the hierarchical arrangement of numerous hospitality organisations can cultivate conditions in which office politics flourish. In environments characterised by explicit power hierarchies, employees may adopt ingratiation and other political strategies to seek favour from their superiors. This might result in the sense of bias and inequitable treatment among employees, which can contribute to the development of resentment and decreased motivation. These beliefs weaken employees' confidence and happiness at work, resulting in a decrease in their mental health and productivity. 

Multiple studies have demonstrated that office politics have psychological implications that impact not only individual employees but also the entire organisation. Elevated levels of perceived office politics can lead to a noxious work environment that impacts employee morale and escalates turnover rates. A study conducted by Harris, Kacmar, and Witt (2019) revealed a negative correlation between perceived organisational politics and job satisfaction, as well as a positive correlation with job stress and inclinations to leave. Within the hospitality sector, the influence of internal power dynamics on employee turnover can have a particularly negative effect, given the need of retaining experienced and talented staff for sustaining service quality. However, effectively dealing with the psychological impacts of office politics in the hospitality industry necessitates employing a comprehensive strategy. In order to minimise the occurrence of political behaviour, organisations should cultivate management methods that are both transparent and equitable. Offering staff assistance mechanisms, such as therapy services and stress reduction programs, can also aid in alleviating the adverse psychological effects. It was against this backdrop, the study seeks to examine the psychological effects of office politics on employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon.

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine the psychological effects of office politics on employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

Determine the factors associated with office politics in the hospitality industry of Cameroon.

Determine the extent to which office politics contributes to stress and anxiety among employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon.

Determine the extent to which office politics affects job performance among employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon.

Determine whether office politics has a significant impact on the psychological well-being of employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon.

1.4  Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What factors are associated with office politics in the hospitality industry of Cameroon?

To what extent does office politics contribute to stress and anxiety among employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon?

To what extent does office politics affect job performance among employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon?

Does office politics have a significant impact on the psychological well-being of employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0: Office politics have no significant psychological effects on employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon.

Ha: Office politics have a significant psychological effects on employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will enhance the psychological well-being of employees in hospitality by educating them about the ways in which office politics impact their work environment, stress management, and seeking assistance when necessary. Moreover, by recognising these effects, employees will be better equipped to advocate for a more supportive and equitable work environment, which will ultimately improve their mental health and job satisfaction. Additionally, the study will be helpful to HR professionals in the hospitality sector since it sheds light on the psychological difficulties that come with office politics. With this knowledge, HR professionals will be able to create and carry out stronger programs and policies that lessen the detrimental psychological impacts of workplace politics. Employee assistance programs, mental health resources, and training on effective communication and conflict resolution are a few examples of such initiatives. Furthermore, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to the psychological effects of office politics on employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon.

1.7 Scope of the study   

The scope of this study is boarded on the psychological effects of office politics on employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon. Empirically, the study will determine the factors associated with office politics, the extent to which office politics contributes to stress and anxiety among employees in the hospitality industry, determine the extent to which office politics affects job performance among employees and determine whether office politics has a significant impact on the psychological well-being of employees in the hospitality industry of Cameroon.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to employees of some selected hotels and restaurant  in Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Office Politics:the activities undertaken within an organization to acquire, develop, and use power and other resources to obtain one’s preferred outcomes, can profoundly impact employees' psychological well-being.

Psychological Effects: the mental and emotional impact that office politics has on employees, including stress, anxiety, job dissatisfaction, and burnout.

Productivity: measured by the quantity and quality of work produced within a specific time frame and can be influenced by factors such as motivation, work environment, and organizational support.

Hospitality Industry: the sector of the economy that provides services related to leisure, recreation, and accommodation, including hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other tourism-related businesses.

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