Occupational stress among leaders in organizations: A comparative study of Nile and Uganda Breweries Limited

Abstract

This study examines the causes, effects and coping strategies needed to reduce occupational stress among leaders in organizations. This study was induced by the little attention, which had been given to occupational stress among leaders in organizations especially in Nile and Uganda Breweries Limited. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative helped the researcher generate non –numerical data on occupational stress in order to provide a complete detailed description of occupation stress. The quantitative method helped the researcher to interpret data that was converted into numbers. It helped the researcher to count and classify features in the study, to enable the researcher construct statistical models and figures to explain what is observed in the study. The study used a comparative study design with the sample size of 118 from a total population of 170 respondents in both Nile Breweries and Uganda Breweries. Data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaires, interviews/focus group discussions, magazines, newspapers, and textbooks .The data was analysed using SPSS package and T-test. The results showed the factors like workload, excessive responsibilities, role conflict, and role ambiguity were identified as factors that induce stress among leaders in Nile Breweries and Uganda Breweries Limited. The findings further showed that stress yields poor performance, health problems, family conflict, poor social relationship and unhealthy organizations. The identified coping strategies: setting priorities, delegating tasks, discussing concerns with others and trying to reduce the possibility of stressful events. Basing on the research findings, the researcher concluded by noting that occupation stress affects leaders depending on the organization they work in and the way the they perceive a situation. The researcher recommended that organizations should institute training programs on occupational stress.