Analysis of stress and stress management interventions among employees in the information technology (IT) sector in India and Ireland
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Authors
Oommen Joshy, Colin
Issue Date
2014
Degree
MA of Business Administration
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The health of people in the work place -in all sectors- has been an important issue for sometime, and there is substantial evidence that the workplace can have an impact upon employee health – both positive and negative. As a result, the management of employee well-being has become a priority for all types of organizations. (Arnold et al, 2010 p 433) The degree of competition in the economy has becomes more intense as a result of the recent recession, therefore no job is stress free. Everyone in the workplace experiences some kind of stress be it in relation to the job or in relation to the general work environment. (Swaminathan and Rajkumar 2013) Information Technology has created a positive impact on the lives of millions across the globe. Today a country’s IT potential is paramount in its march towards global competitiveness, and is a huge driver of growth. (IBEF, no date) Stress is an inevitable factor in the life of an employee in the IT sector. It affects the performance of an employee and detracts the ability of the employee to contribute to the organization. The effects of stress at work are an important area of concern among the top management of many business organizations today. This study analyzes the causes of stress and its impact on absenteeism among IT employees in Ireland and India. It also examines various coping strategies adopted by IT employees in Ireland and India. The study also analyzes the impact of stress management intervention on stress among employees of IT companies in both countries. The study was conducted among 109 employees working in the IT sector in India and Ireland using survey in the form of self administered questionnaires and found a) factors intrinsic to the job b) organizational structure and climate and c) role of the employee in the organization as the major causes of stress among the IT employees in both countries. The study also found that more of the respondents did not have any access to stress management interventions, and that stress did not have any significant impact on absenteeism. Author keywords: Stress, occupational stress, absenteeism, coping strategies, work-life balance, productivity, stress management interventions