AN ASSESSMENT OF NURSES PERCEPTION OF OFFICE POLITICS IN DOUALA GENERAL HOSPITAL, CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Office politics, referred known as OP, exists in varying degrees throughout all organisations (Faye & Long, 2018). Politics is a crucial element of the organisational environment. Office politics (OP) is essential as it determines the comprehension of the unofficial dynamics within businesses and their impact on the performance and skills of individual employees.  Several studies have shown that office politics (OP) negatively affects job satisfaction (Atinga, Domfeh, Kayi, Abuosi, & Dzansi, 2019). However, the way people perceive the organization's policies could have harmful implications on emotional states in the workplace, such as job stress (Abbas, Raja, Darr, & Bouckenooghe, 2021). 

Hospitals are establishments where the efficient utilisation of human resources is vital in providing services to individuals. Nurses exert a substantial influence on these organisations. Most nurses in Cameroon hold a bachelor's degree and work in public or private hospitals, either on a permanent, temporary, or contractual basis. The nursing profession is closely linked to elevated levels of stress, which can negatively impact the delivery and quality of healthcare (Johnston, Jones, Charles, McCann, & McKee, 2022). However, nurses prefer to work in an optimal environment that facilitates the provision of sufficient healthcare to patients. Regrettably, nurses working in hospitals frequently encounter stress and burnout while carrying out their responsibilities (Sagie & Krausz, 2020). These stressful conditions are worsened by the poor interpersonal interactions in the nursing profession (Duddle & Boughton 2018), the high rate of bullying (Hutchinson et al. 2018, Katrinli et al.2020) and the present penetration of politics into the profession (Des Jardin 2021). 

Politics in the nursing profession derives from the fact that nurses form the largest employment group in hospitals and health systems (World Health Organisation 2020) and this has provided incentives for competing interests and power play within the ranks of the profession. Globally, there is insufficient health workforce to satisfy the health demands of populations, yet nurses’ density per 1000 population appears to be low when compared with physicians, except in a few countries such as China, Bangladesh, Lebanon and Columbia (World Health Organisation 2020). In Cameroon, nurses form roughly 55% of the total number of health workers directly providing health care to patients (Ministry of Health 2021). Additionally, nurses concentration in health institutions potentially intensifies the occurrence of both vertical and horizontal politics when power and influence are used to determine ‘who gets what, when and how’ (Lasswell, 2018). 

Office politics in this context refers to strategic behaviour aimed at maximising the self-interest of individuals or groups in the workplace. This behaviour is in conflict with both the collective goals of the organisation and the personal interests of other individuals. Additionally, it has been defined as the utilisation of authority and sway among persons beyond the official organisational protocols and methods (Kurchner-Hawkins et al. 2018). Political actions in organisational contexts are partly associated with the belief that organisations are fundamentally political venues, where individuals work together but also compete to gain advantages at the cost of others (Drory & Vigoda-Gadot, 2010; Gotsis & Kortezi, 2010).Working in a politically unstable environment can increase stress levels and impact the professional outcomes of nurses. Hence, it is crucial to comprehend the nurses' perspectives on OP in order to direct research endeavours and actions aimed at improving quality. As OP may differ from country to country, this study was designed to assess nurses perception of office politics in Douala General Hospital, Cameroon.

Statement of the Problem

Workplace politics can hinder individual efforts. For instance, if a highly skilled person, like a nurse, believes that politics is being utilised to unfairly deny them a well-deserved chance, they may display negative responses such as discontentment, indifference, unease, and employee turnover (Kacmar et al., 2019). Workplace politics often elicits many responses (Silvester, 2018), such as a tendency to be unsatisfied with work, have a low degree of dedication, neglect important tasks, or deliver subpar performance. Additional research has confirmed that workplace politics can have negative consequences, such as fostering negative relationships between individuals, generating feelings of guilt and anger, undermining trustworthiness, and leading to increased absenteeism (Vigoda, 2020). In addition to these adverse outcomes, office politics can also lead to resignation or departure from the organisation. There is an inverse relationship between the perception of politics in the workplace and the level of justice, equity, and fairness as perceived by employees. The existence of politics in the workplace is a well-established occurrence. 

Recent studies suggest that workplace politics are becoming increasingly prevalent and important in both public and commercial organisations. This includes both the actual instances of workplace politics and how people perceive them. These findings are supported by study conducted by Huang et al. (2023), Vigoda-Gadot & Kapun (2018), and Fedor et al. (2018). Although there has been a significant amount of study conducted, the existing literature does not provide comprehensive efforts to expand our understanding of how politics influences and distorts work processes in health care settings. It is crucial to comprehend the impact of political behaviour among nurses on hospital administration due to the distinctiveness of the healthcare business and the prevalence of ethics in nursing (Ringer & Boss, 2020). 

Furthermore, since the nursing profession is based on the core principles of individuality, dignity, uniqueness, human rights, and responsibilities (Gallagher, 2018), it is crucial to comprehend the potential impact of workplace politics on these principles. This understanding is essential not only for guiding policy decisions but also for minimising the various sources of tension within the nursing profession.There is a limited amount of literature available on workplace politics in Cameroon, and it notably lacks a special focus on health care contexts. This study represents one of the initial extensive investigations that seeks to examine the impact of workplace politics on the behaviour of nurses in hospitals in Cameroon. Hence, it is in the light of these, the study seeks to assess nurses perception of office politics in Douala General Hospital, Cameroon.

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess nurses perception of office politics in Douala General Hospital, Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

Assess the factors contributing to office politics  in Douala General Hospital.

To assess the impact of office politics on the job satisfaction among nurses in Douala General Hospital.

Assess the strategies for reducing the negative effects of office politics at Douala General Hospital.

1.4  Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What are the factors contributing to office politics in Douala General Hospital?

What is the impact of office politics on job satisfaction among nurses in Douala General Hospital?

What strategies can be implemented to reduce the negative effects of office politics at Douala General Hospital?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0: Office politics have no significant impact on job satisfaction among nurses in Douala General Hospital.

Ha: Office politics have a significant impact on job satisfaction among nurses in Douala General Hospital

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will offer nurses and other healthcare professionals valuable insights into the potential influence of office politics on their job satisfaction and overall well-being. However, the findings of this study will be utilised by healthcare policy makers to make informed decisions on workforce management and hospital governance. To ensure a more stable and content staff, which is crucial for sustaining high levels of care, it is important to address the underlying causes of job unhappiness associated with office politics. 

Additionally, nursing associations will utilise these findings to push for improved working conditions and to endorse activities aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of office politics on nurses' job satisfaction and professional growth. 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 nurses perception of office politics in Douala General Hospital, Cameroon.

1.7 Scope of the study   

The scope of this study is boarded on nurses perception of office politics in Douala General Hospital, Cameroon. Geographically, the study will be delimited to Douala General Hospital.

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 use of power and social networking within an organization to achieve changes that benefit individuals or groups. It involves strategic maneuvering, alliances, and competition among employees for personal or professional gain.

Nurses: Nurses are healthcare professionals who provide care and support to patients, assisting in their recovery and maintaining their health. They perform a wide range of duties, including administering medication, monitoring patient conditions, educating patients about health management, and collaborating with doctors and other healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive care.

Employee Job Satisfaction:The level of contentment and fulfillment employees feel regarding their job roles, work environment, and overall experience within the organization.

---

---