EVALUATING WORKPLACE POLITICS AND ITS EFFECT ON ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Politics is significant because it reveals the secret of "who gets what, when, and how" in a social structure (Lasswell, 2014). Generally speaking, compromise and collaboration, conversation and debate, bribery and deception are all political methods to pressure opponents to accept an opinion. In modern organisations, individuals and groups use politics to achieve their objectives. This might be permitted or made lawful. Organizational politics enable workers to get benefits from employers. Politics in the workplace can benefit both the employees and their organisations. Political behaviours have become pervasive due to the involvement of people and the fact that organizations do not always have enough resources. However, politics in the workplace can be seen in one of two ways: either as a sign of effective social influence mechanisms that is advantageous to the organization or as a self-serving consequence that is detrimental to those objectives. 

Workplace politics describes the processes and behaviours involving human interactions with respect to power and authority in the organization. It addresses the issues of who in an organisation has the power and resources, and how these resources are distributed without the use of force. Workplace politics is also a tool used to assess an organization’s operational capacity and to balance divergent views and interests of organizational members. Gotsis and Kortezi (2021) conceive organizational politics as the acts of members of an organization pursuing their interests without taking into account how those interests may affect the organization's efforts to achieve its objectives. Politics is an inherent part of organizational life; and is commonly regarded as a power game. Weber (2017) described power as “the possibility that one actor in a social connection will be able to carry out their own will despite resistance, independent of the basis on which this probability depends.” Workplace politics influences and affects all aspects of an organization, including management systems, relationships, customs, processes, performance and outcomes (Lasswell, 2014). Also, politics is practiced at all levels of society, ranging from conventional cultures’ clans and tribes through local governments, businesses, and organizations, to sovereign states.

According to Asaha (2021), Workplace politics is believed to influence employee performance. Employee performance is viewed as employees' work output in a specified period and reference to stated goals or expectations. Employee performance is also a measure of how employees carry out their duties and their willingness to go above and beyond fundamental performance evaluation criteria for the company's benefit. Asaha (2021) opines that employee performance and input determines the organizations development. Organizational development is a crucial aspect of long-term business success, involving the improvement of processes, structures, and cultures within organizations (Young, 2019). Organizational development is a critical and science-based process that helps organizations build their capacity to change and achieve greater effectiveness by developing, improving, and reinforcing strategies, structures, and processes (Lang, 2020). However, workplace politics can either facilitate or hinder these development efforts. Positive workplace politics can lead to enhanced communication, stronger networks, and more effective decision-making, all of which contribute to organizational development. On the other hand, negative workplace politics can lead to conflicts, decreased morale, and a toxic work environment, undermining development initiatives (Asaha, 2021).

Workplace politics, like other factors affecting organizational performance, productivity, profitability and sustainability is like a two side of coin, having its face and bottom, that is, positive and negative implications (Asari, 2022: Shonekan, 2017). It will be erroneous to assume politics in workplace only have negative impact on the organizational productivity. There are positive and negative sides of workplace politics. According to Nathaniel (2022), Positive Side of Workplace Politics includes Competitiveness, Efficient Decision Making, Perception of Conflicts, Quality of Leadership and Effective Means of Grapevine. Conversely, Negative Side of Workplace Politics includes Conflict, Defective Leadership, Poor Management, Hatred, Lack of Trust, Enhance Mediocrity and Job Dissatisfaction (Nathaniel 2022).

In Cameroon, the landscape of organizational development is influenced by various socio-cultural, economic, and political factors. The growth of corporate entities and other organizations in Cameroon has brought about new challenges, one of which is the management of workplace politics (Chad, ,2021). The interplay between workplace politics and organizational development in this context is complex, with both positive and negative outcomes possible depending on the nature and intensity of these political behaviors. Cameroon’s organizational environment is marked by diversity, with a mix of traditional values and modern business practices (AbdulAmin, 2023). This unique environment creates fertile ground for workplace politics, as individuals and groups navigate power structures, cultural expectations, and organizational hierarchies. Understanding how workplace politics affects organizational development in Cameroon is essential for fostering a work environment that promotes growth, innovation, and sustainability. Hence the need for this study.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Workplace politics, which refers to the deliberate actions and techniques employed by employees to obtain an advantage or exert control, frequently has a substantial impact on organisational growth in business settings throughout Cameroon. The interplay of political forces can influence multiple facets of organisational existence, encompassing the procedures for making decisions, the interactions between employees, and the overall functioning of the organisation.

Workplace politics is an inevitable aspect of many organisations, where individuals and groups employ strategic actions to acquire power, sway decisions, and accomplish personal or collective objectives (Ahmed, 2022). Although workplace politics can have some positive effects, such as promoting creativity and facilitating organisational change, its bad parts can be extremely harmful (Nathaniel 2022). Workplace politics often result in conflicts, diminished employee morale, distrust, and a hostile work environment, all of which can greatly impede organisational growth. Engaging in toxic political behaviours can result in a decline in employee morale, reduced productivity, and increased turnover rates, eventually affecting the growth and development of the organisation (Osemudiame, 2019). In Cameroon, the influence of workplace politics on organisational growth is particularly significant due to the intricate socio-cultural and economic context in which organisations function. The combination of conventional cultural principles, contemporary corporate methodologies, and a demanding economic climate establishes a distinctive context in which workplace politics can flourish, frequently resulting in significant consequences for organisational advancement.

Although organisational development is crucial for long-term success, there is a noticeable dearth of empirical research that examines the precise impact of workplace politics on this development in Cameroonian organisations. Numerous organisations face challenges in attaining their developmental objectives as a result of the adverse effects of uncontrolled political behaviours. However, there is a lack of comprehensive comprehension regarding the fundamental dynamics involved. The issue at hand is that workplace politics in Cameroonian organisations have a widespread presence, which has the potential to impede organisational development. However, the exact amount and precise methods via which this impact occurs are not well comprehended. The lack of understanding in this area not only hinders organisations from properly managing workplace politics but also weakens their efforts to cultivate a healthy and productive organisational culture that promotes growth and innovation. This study intends to assess the impact of workplace politics on organisational growth in Cameroon.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically evaluate workplace politics and its effect on organizational development in Cameroon. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To identify the forms of workplace politics within organizations in Cameroon.

To evaluate the impact of workplace politics on organizational development within organizations in Cameroon.

To assess the Impact of workplace Politics on innovation in organizations in Cameroon

To assess the Impact of workplace Politics on employee engagement and performance in organizations in Cameroon

To provide recommendations for minimizing the negative effects of workplace politics on organizational development.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions which are in line with the objectives of this study will be answered in this study:

What are the most prevalent forms of workplace politics in Cameroonian organizations?

What is the impact of workplace politics on organizational development within organizations in Cameroon?

What is the Impact of workplace Politics on innovation in organizations in Cameroon?

What is the Impact of workplace Politics on employee engagement and performance in Corporate organizations in Cameroon?

What are the recommendations for minimizing the negative effects of workplace politics on organizational development?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

To determine the effectiveness of this study, the following research null hypotheses will be formulated to guide the study and it will be tested at 0.05% levels of significance.:

Ho: Workplace politics have no significant impact on organizational development within organizations in Cameroon.

Ha: Office politics have significant impact on organizational development within organizations in Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the study

The study of workplace politics and its impact on organisational growth in Cameroon is highly significant for various stakeholders both within and outside the business sphere. 

The study explores the relationship between workplace politics and organisational development, shedding light on how political behaviours might influence productivity, innovation, and overall effectiveness within an organisation. This can assist organisations in formulating plans to mitigate adverse impacts and optimise efficiency. Acquired insights can aid organisations in enhancing their decision-making processes, optimising team interactions, and cultivating a more cooperative and efficient work environment.

Moreover, analysing the influence of office politics on employee morale and job satisfaction can result in implementing strategies that enhance the work atmosphere and employee involvement, consequently decreasing staff turnover and improving organisational stability. The study can provide organisations with guidance on how to establish a healthy organisational culture that reduces toxic political behaviours and fosters justice, openness, and trust.

Moreover, the discoveries will offer vital insights for leaders and managers regarding the essence of office politics and its consequences. This can assist individuals in embracing superior leadership methodologies and formulating highly efficient management tactics. Comprehending the impact of workplace politics on organisational development empowers leaders to make well-informed decisions regarding changes within the organisation, the composition of teams, and the resolution of conflicts.

Moreover, the study might provide guidance to organisations in formulating strategic initiatives that target the underlying factors of workplace politics and synchronise organisational practices with developmental objectives. The study's findings can assist organisations in formulating strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of workplace politics. This can be achieved by the use of equitable evaluation procedures, dispute resolution methods, and transparent communication practices.

In essence, the study contributes to the existing scholarly understanding of workplace politics and organisational development, specifically within the context of Cameroon. It has the potential to establish a basis for future research and enhance the worldwide comprehension of these dynamics.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically evaluate workplace politics and its effect on organizational development in Cameroon. Specifically, this study seeks to identify the forms of workplace politics within organizations in Cameroon, evaluate the impact of workplace politics on organizational development within organizations in Cameroon and assess the Impact of workplace Politics on innovation in organizations in Cameroon. 

Further, this study will focus on assessing the Impact of workplace Politics on employee engagement and performance in organizations in Cameroon and it also seeks to provide recommendations for minimizing the negative effects of workplace politics on organizational development.

 The study is carried out in Cameroon. 

1.8 Limitations of the study

Like all human endeavours, the researchers encountered numerous minor limitations throughout the examination. The primary constraint was the scarcity of comprehensive literature on the topic, resulting from the limited accessibility of data about the assessment of workplace politics and its impact on organisational development in Cameroon. Therefore, a substantial investment of time and effort was required to determine the suitable materials, books, or information and gather data. 

Moreover, this study is limited by its limited sample size and restricted geographical coverage, as it only focusses on Cameroon. Hence, the generalisability of the findings in this study is limited, necessitating additional research. 

Furthermore, the researcher's limitations were mostly attributed to financial restraints, as they are a student without any means of money to support themselves. The expensive transportation fees at the research location presented a difficulty in covering the costs associated with transportation expenses.

In addition, the researcher encountered a time limitation as a result of the necessity to do this research while simultaneously completing the responsibilities of attending lectures and engaging in other educational endeavorss.

1.9 Definition of terms

Politics: Politics is activities aimed at improving someone's status or increasing power within an organization.

Office politics: Also known as office politics and organizational politics, it involves the use of power and social networking within a workplace to achieve changes that benefit individuals within it.

Organizational commitment: Organizational commitment refers to the level of engagement and dedication team members feel toward their individual jobs and the organization. It also describes the different reasons professionals remain with an employer rather than seek opportunities elsewhere.

Organizational development: Organization development is the study and implementation of practices, systems, and techniques that affect organizational change. The goal of which is to modify a group's/organization's performance and/or culture.