Work stress, job commitment and performance among Makerere University lecturers

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between work stress, job commitment and performance among Makerere university lecturers. It was assumed high levels of work stress among lecturers influence job commitment and job performance. The objectives of the study were to assess the levels of work stress experienced by lecturers, relationships between work stress and job commitment, work stress and job performance, job 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 work stress and total job commitment and more specifically work 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.