EXPLORATION INTO OFFICE POLITICS ON EMPLOYEE JOB EFFECTIVENESS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Globally, tertiary education is to contribute to the overall development of the nation by providing advanced training for highly skilled individuals, offering accessible and affordable quality education in both formal and informal settings that cater to the needs and interests of all Nigerians. In the opinion of Manasseh and Uyanga (2021) university education is pointed towards delivering excellent career guidance and lifelong learning programs that equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency and employment, addressing skill shortages by producing competent professionals who meet the demands of the job market, promoting and fostering academic excellence, entrepreneurship, and community service, fostering national unity, and encouraging national and international cooperation and understanding. 

Conversely, the dynamics of power and influence within academic institutions, particularly in Federal Universities in Nigeria, have long been subjects of interest and concern. According to Gbadamosi (2020), academic institutions are expected to be bastions of knowledge, critical thinking, and ethical behavior. However, like any other organization, they are not immune to the play of politics and politics tactics, which can significantly shape the professional lives of academic staff and the overall functioning of the institutions.

In the assertion of Vigoda-Gadot (2020), office politics are the informal practices, strategies, and behaviors within an organization that employees employ to gain power, influence decisions, or secure personal and professional gains. Similarly, Chaudhary (2022) observed that organizational politics is endemic to organizations because people come to work situations with many goals, not just one unified goal. These goals invoke conflict and competition among workers in the organization, thus he argued that organizational politics involves amassing organizational power for personal benefits, rather than organizational objectives which when these expectations are not met, triggered negative emotions and dissatisfaction. However, the impact of power and politics depends on whether employees use positive or negative power to influence others in the workplace. While some level of political behavior is considered a natural component of organizational life, Hochwarter (2021) added that excessive or unethical office politics can have significant negative effects on employee job effectiveness and organizational performance. 

In tertiary institutions, where academic and administrative roles are distinct yet intertwined, office politics can play a crucial role in shaping the work environment and influencing employees' effectiveness in executing their duties. Omisore & Nweke (2019) assert that the importance of job effectiveness in academic institutions cannot be overstated as staff effectiveness can significant  impact on  student performance, the institution’s reputation, and overall organizational efficiency. On the other hand, Aina & Ajayi (2022) argued that achieving this effectiveness can be hampered by the presence of detrimental political behaviors such as favoritism, manipulation of information, and lobbying for resources. According to Vigoda-Gadot and Talmud (2021), employees in politically charged environments tend to focus on power struggles rather than fulfilling their core responsibilities, leading to reduced job satisfaction and productivity. As noted by Ogungbamila (2018), the higher education sector in Nigeria is often characterized by power struggles between academic and administrative staff, rivalry among departments, and a lack of transparent policies. These political dynamics can create a toxic work environment, where decisions are made based on alliances and favoritism rather than merit and institutional goals  and the result is a decline in employee job effectiveness, manifesting in poor job performance, decreased motivation, and high employee turnover rates.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The prevalence of office politics in organizations has been widely documented in existing literature, with studies indicating that it can negatively affect employee morale, productivity, and overall organizational efficiency. In Nigeria tertiary institutions, where academic and administrative roles are distinct but interdependent, office politics has been observed to  lead to power struggles, lack of cooperation, and poor decision-making. Omisore & Nweke (2019) highlighted that in some tertiary institutions especially public universities, staff go as far as using diabolical means to secure promotions and favor from higher management. Research indicates that the presence of office politics in tertiary institutions can have adverse consequences on employees' morale and performance.  

Additionally, the implications of office politics extend beyond individual job effectiveness to affect the overall institutional culture. As emphasized by Kacmar & Baron (2019), employees who perceive that decisions are made based on favoritism rather than fairness may become demotivated and disengaged, leading to a breakdown of trust and cooperation among staff. This breakdown can be particularly harmful in academic institutions, where collaborative efforts among employees are essential for the effective delivery of academic and administrative functions. According to Adebayo and Akanbi (2020), employees working in politically charged environments are more likely to experience stress, dissatisfaction, and burnout. This stress can lead to a decrease in their commitment to the institution, ultimately affecting their job effectiveness and their ability to contribute meaningfully to the institution’s objectives. In such situations, institutions may struggle to achieve their goals of delivering quality education and fostering a conducive environment for learning and research.

Despite the recognized impact of office politics on employee effectiveness, there is limited research focusing on tertiary institutions in Nigeria. This is because existing studies have primarily explored office politics within the context of corporate organizations, with limited attention to its effects in the academic setting. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the impact of office politics on employee job effectiveness in selected tertiary institutions in Nigeria, shedding light on how political behaviors affect both individual and institutional performance.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The primary objective of this study is focused on exploration into office politics on employee job effectiveness in tertiary institutions. Specifically, the study seeks:

To identify the types of office politics prevalent in selected tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

To examine the impact of office politics on employee job effectiveness in tertiary institutions.

To assess the influence of office politics on employee motivation and commitment.

To determine the strategies used by employees to navigate office politics in tertiary institutions.

1.4 Research Questions

What types of office politics are prevalent in selected tertiary institutions in Nigeria?

What is the impact of office politics on employee job effectiveness in tertiary institutions?

How does office politics influence employee motivation and commitment in tertiary institutions?

What strategies do employees use to navigate office politics in tertiary institutions?

Research Hypotheses

Ho: There is no significant relationship between office politics and employee job effectiveness in tertiary institutions.

Hi: There is a significant relationship between office politics and employee job effectiveness in tertiary institutions.

1.6 Significance of the Study

Practically, the findings will be beneficial to policymakers, administrators, and human resource managers in tertiary institutions. By understanding the impact of office politics on employee job effectiveness, institutional leaders can implement strategies to create a more transparent and fair work environment, ultimately enhancing job performance and organizational efficiency. Additionally, this study will provide valuable insights for employees in understanding how to effectively navigate office politics without compromising their job effectiveness.

Moreover, the findings of this study will be valuable to policymakers in the education sector. Understanding the types of office politics prevalent in tertiary institutions and their impact on employee effectiveness can inform policy decisions aimed at improving organizational culture and employee well-being in academic settings. This can contribute to the development of a more conducive work environment for academic and administrative staff, promoting job satisfaction and overall institutional performance.

Theoretically, this study will contribute to the existing body of literature on office politics by exploring its impact within the context of tertiary institutions. The findings will provide a framework for future research on office politics in academic settings, particularly in Nigeria, where limited studies have explored this issue. This study will also contribute to the understanding of how political behaviors affect employee job effectiveness, motivation, and job satisfaction.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study is limited to selected tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The content scope will focus on examining the types of office politics prevalent in these institutions and their impact on employee job effectiveness, job satisfaction, and motivation and strategies for navigating political behaviors in the workplace. The geographical scope is limited to Nigeria with reference to University of Portharcourt,

1.8 Limitations of the Study

This study may face certain limitations, such as the reluctance of some participants to disclose information about office politics due to fear of repercussions or confidentiality concerns. To mitigate this challenge, the researcher will emphasize confidentiality and anonymity in the data collection process. Another limitation is the potential bias in participants' responses, as their perceptions of office politics may be influenced by personal experiences or relationships within the institution. The researcher will employ multiple data collection methods, including surveys and interviews, to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Additionally, the study's findings may be limited by the geographical scope, as it focuses solely on University of Portharcourt,. While the results may provide valuable insights into office politics within this context, the findings may not be generalizable to other regions or types of organizations. Future research could expand the study to include other regions and types of institutions for a broader understanding of the impact of office politics.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

Office Politics: This is the informal and often covert behaviors, strategies, and practices used by individuals within an organization to gain power, influence decisions, or achieve personal and professional gains.

Job Effectiveness: This is extent to which an employee successfully fulfills their job responsibilities and contributes to achieving organizational goals.

Tertiary Institutions: Higher education institutions that provide academic and professional education, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges.

Employee Motivation: This is internal and external factors that drive an employee to achieve job satisfaction and performance.

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