Occupational stress, organizational commitment and job performance among lecturers at Makerere University

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between occupational stress, organizational commitment and job performance among lecturers at Makerere University. It was assumed high levels of occupational stress among lecturers influence organisational commitment and job performance. The objectives of the study were to assess the levels of occupational stress experienced by lecturers, relationships between occupational stress and organisational commitment, occupational stress and job performance, organisational commitment and job performance. The study used a cross sectional and correlation survey designs. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis, t-test, factor analysis and ANOVA. The study revealed that lecturers were experiencing high level of stress. The study revealed a negative but significant relationship between occupational stress and total organisational commitment and more specifically occupational stress influenced normative commitment of lecturers more than affective and continuance commitment. Work stress negatively influenced contextual performance of university lecturers more that the task performance. The study established that normative commitment positively influenced contextual performance and task performance of university lecturers more than affective and continuance commitment. It was recommended that Makerere university management needs to establish work stress audits using job stress indicators at work, involve lecturers in decision making, encourage team spirit through sharing, cooperation at work and subsequently would increase commitment at work and high performance.