Influence Of Emotion On Job Performance Of Secretaries In An Organization

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The secretary is an important officer in any establishment. The contributions and effectiveness of a secretary can either enhance or diminish the efficiency of an organization(Onasanya, 2010). He also stated that the title secretary may either refer to a chief administrator of an organization or to a person who performs the functions of organizing and recording the proceedings of a meeting. According to Stanwell and Shaw (1978), a secretary is a staff who is concerning with the preparation, preservation and transmission of all types of communication as well as the conventional secretarial duties of confidential nature at various levels. Eni (1989) also defined the secretary as a member of clerical staff whose fundamental function are concerned with the preparation of correspondence or communication in all form with and outside the organization. From the above definitions, it can be seen that secretary is an indispensable management personnel in an organization and outside environment.

Similar to other employees, the job performance of a secretary can be increased or decreased as a result of several factors, among which include emotional sentiments. According to Brief and Weiss (2002) emotions normally are associated with specific events or occurrences and are intense enough to disrupt thought processes. Organisations are mostly concerned about having secretarial employees who perform at their best with the human resource being the life blood of any organisation. Given that emotions are said to bear an effect on workflow, there is need to investigate if this disruption on workflow can also translate to affect the performance of secretaries. However, Dunnette and Hough (2000) claim that in organizations there is little concern for the plight of secretaries in this regard, they bring out that the business world is more familiar with narrowly focused fads and management programs, recognized by their three letter acronyms like MBO (Management By Objectives), BPR (Behaviorally Anchored Rating), PCT (Paired Comparison Technique) and probably others(Nilku, 2015).

Furthermore, Brief and Weiss (2002) claimed that emotions normally are associated with specific events or occurrences. However according to Kegan (1982) in most organizations emotions are perceived as irrational phenomena and portrayed as opposing the voice of reason and thus are basically ignored.According to Pervez (2010) there is an increasing interest in the effect of emotions in organizational secretaries in general as researchers now broadly recognize that emotions play a significant role in organizational life, as well as the staff. From the aforementioned, this study intends to determine the influence of emotion on the job performance of secretaries in an organization.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Emotions are pure human psychological phenomena, and can be triggered by various elements. According to Bowman(2012), an employee is critically affected by their behaviors in the workplace. Specifically, the emotions and overall temperament of secretaries have a significant impact on their job performance, decision making skills, team spirit, and leadership and turnover(Ganji, 2011). In most organizations in Nigeria, secretaries are treated as subordinate staff and as such their bosses or leaders result to treating them like minorities through abusive verbal expression, sexual harassment etc. In determining the factors contributing to the emotion of secretaries, Onyenna(2015), discovered that the lack of effective working tools, unhealthy work environment and mostly the reoccurring delay in the payment of salaries especially in Government organizations affects the secretaries emotionally as it results to feeling sad and dissatisfied in their job. Undoubtedly, emotions directly influence decision making, creativity and interpersonal relations. Due to the abstract nature of emotions little attention has been directed towards looking into their potential effect on employees effectiveness, with some organizations even downplaying their essence to workers life. Thus, this study aims at examining the influence of emotion on job performance of secretaries in an organization.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The overall aim of this study is to critically examine influence of emotion on job performance of secretaries in an organization. Hence, the study will be channeled to the following specific objectives;

Identify the factors that triggers the emotions of secretaries in an organization.

Determine whether emotions affects the commitment level of secretaries.

Determine whether emotions affects the productivity of secretaries in an organization.

Ascertain whether a relationship exist between emotions and job performance of secretaries.

 

1.4 Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following questions;

What are the factors that triggers the emotions of secretaries in an organization?

Does emotions affect the commitment level of secretaries in an organization?

Does emotions affect the productivity of secretaries in an organization?

Does any relationship exist between emotions and job performance of secretaries?

 

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following hypothetical statements will be validated in the course of this study;

H01: There is no significant relationship between emotions and the commitment level of secretaries in an organization.

H02: There is no significant relationship between emotions and the productivity of secretaries in an organization.

H03: There is no significant relationship existing between emotions and overall job performance of secretaries in an organization.

 

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study seeks to find out if secretaries’ emotions affect their performance. In the event that there is a correlational link between the two constructs, this study shall serve as a wake-up-call for organisational leaders to consider their secretaries’ emotions as these will have a profound effect on their job performance. The findings of this study shall show how organizations can be able to establish an ideal organizational climate that can lead to positive emotions on the part of employees.

Given that the issue of emotions has been ignored largely due to the complexity of this construct, this study shall reveal if whether emotions are really a cause for concern in organisational life particularly with regards to job performance.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as 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 regards to the influence of emotion on job performance of secretaries in an organization.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is structured to generally examine the influence of emotion on job performance of secretaries in an organization. However, the study will further identify the factors that triggers the emotions of secretaries in an organization, determine whether emotions affects the commitment level of secretaries, determine whether emotions affects the productivity of secretaries in an organization, and ascertain whether a relationship exist between emotions and job performance of secretaries.

The participants for this study will be obtained from Osun State Government Secretariat.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. More so, the researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Secretary:

Is an employee in the office working as the personal assistant to an executive, dealing with letters, filling, typing and making appointments and arrangement.

Emotions:

These are complex state of feeling that results in physical and psychological changes that influence thoughts; behavior and are a driving force behind motivation.

Job Performance:

This is a behavior that an employee exhibits directed towards organisational goals that are relevant to the job or role. It is something that is done by the employee.

1.10 Organisations of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms.

The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, empirical review, and chapter summary. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, abnd selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration.

The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.