Role Ambiguity Research Articles

The Impact of Covid-19 on the Work Practices of Teaching and Administrative Staff in Public Universities in Ghana: A Qualitative Case Study

The outbreak of COVID-19 revealed the unpreparedness of many people and institutions to deal with crisis situation. The pandemic has brought about changes in the operations of both teaching and non-teaching personnel in institutions. The objective of this study was to explore the aftermath impact and challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the work of faculty members and administrators in a public university context. Employing a holistic case study design using a qualitative research approach, the study recruited 54 senior members (teaching and non-teaching) from five colleges, 18 Faculties/schools, and nine directorates senior members using a multi-stage selection techniques. The study found key challenges of administrative staff due to the pandemic to include staff unreceptiveness, role ambiguity, supervision issues, lesson plan and delivery issues, assessment issues, poor trainee disposition, trainee unpreparedness, among others. Participants also intimated that the pandemic has resulted in shifts to remote learning, requiring administrative support in the provision of Information communication Technology (ICT) services to ensure students’ access to the necessary technology, among others. A majority further mentioned measures such as strengthening institutional alert and response capacities through the creation of pandemic task forces, diversifying university academic programmes to attract massive student enrolments support, institutionalizing the use of blended learning modes among others to mitigate the adverse effects of future pandemics. These measures, according to the interviewees have been effective especially because they have resulted in flexible work and learning, which helps to improve institutional productivity and the finances of the university in the face of dwindling government subventions. The study concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many challenges for teaching and administrative work in public universities and so these universities have to put in place effective measures to mitigate the adverse effects of future pandemics.

Technology-induced Strain from Team Communication Platforms: Empirical Evidence for Working from Home

Working from home (WFH) has recently become a widespread form of workplace transformation. Here, digital team communication platforms (TCP), like Microsoft Teams or Slack, have essential value for enabling WFH at a large scale. However, TCPs facilitate permanent availability and distractions, indicating stress potential for employees, particularly when WFH. Therefore, this study examines the occurrence of TCP-generated technostress and its drivers in the WFH environment. Based on the Transaction-Based Stress Theory and technostress literature, we developed a research model with perceived strain as the outcome variable, shaped by TCP technology characteristics and established stressors. To validate the proposed model, we conducted a survey with 503 participants who have worked with TCP from home. Structural equation modelling revealed a variance explained of R²=.573 for perceived strain from TCP. We confirmed the TCP technology characteristics of mobility, interruption, and usefulness to correlate with the stressors of work-home conflict, work overload, and role ambiguity. These stressors, in turn, significantly shaped the outcome variable perceived strain. Furthermore, we found the ability to mentally detach from work to have a buffering moderator effect on the impact of stressor role ambiguity. Correspondingly, we provide implications for theory and practice on how TCP could be implemented with the goal of reducing harm to employee well-being.

Kesulitan mahasiswa dalam membagi tugas kelompok sebagai efek terhadap perilaku social loafing

Groups, comprising two or more interacting individuals, exert mutual influence on each other's behavior. This influence can be both positive and negative, affecting group cohesion. Negative effects may include dysfunctions like special interests, norm violations, role ambiguity, and kemalasan sosial. Social loafing involves an individual reducing effort when working collectively with others. It's a habitual behavior where one person's low contribution influences others. The study aims to investigate how difficulty in task distribution influences perceived inequality in contributions. Hypotheses were formulated to test the influence of Costs/Inconvenience, Coercion, and their combined effect on Kemalasan sosial. Results showed a significant positive influence of Costs/Inconvenience and Coercion on Social Loafing. Costs/Inconvenience had a greater individual impact. Respondents faced challenges in adjusting group work schedules, leading to rushed tasks and a perception of social loafing.

A study of job stress with special reference to the private sector

The study aims to delve intricate dynamics of private sector job stress in the context of rising workplace demands and evolving organizational dynamics. First, we want to find out how common occupational stress is and what causes contribute to it. Second, we want to figure out which variables are most significant in this situation. This study uses a thorough methodology that includes regression and correlation analysis with a sample size of 600 participants, and it reveals notable conclusions. Workload and time pressure, interpersonal connections, role ambiguity and conflict, lack of control, and competitive environment made for 20.8% of the variation in job stress, according to the regression analysis. Curiously, contrary to previously held beliefs, the absence of control did not out to be a strong predictor. Strong interpersonal relationships have a significant impact on occupational stress, and working in a highly competitive culture can be hazardous. The correlation matrix sheds light on the interdependence of these factors, demonstrating this. There are a number of realworld consequences of these results for companies who are trying to make their workplaces healthy for their employees. The study adds clarity to the continuing discussion of workplace stress by calling for a targeted approach to intervention and regulations. In the ever-changing private sector, this strategy aims to boost organizational resilience and employee well-being.

Post-COVID job Stressors and Their Predictive Role on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Between Physicians and Nurses.

Health care providers face heightened stress and increased rates of anxiety and depression post-COVID-19. The pandemic, officially declared over in May 2023, continues to impact their wellbeing significantly, with ongoing mental health monitoring and tailored interventions crucial for support. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of job stressors in a sample of Spanish health care providers post-COVID and to explore potential differences between physicians and nurses, hypothesizing that while both professional categories could experience similar job stressors, some of them could have a differential impact on the mental health of each subgroup. This cross-sectional substudy is part of the MINDxYOU project. The data were collected from 191 health care providers from two regions in Spain. Participants completed the UNIPSICO test battery, used to assess job stressors, and questionnaires to evaluate perceived stress, depressive symptomatology, anxiety, and resilience. Descriptive analyses, bivariate correlations, and linear regression models were performed to compare the two professions that were the most representative of our sample: physicians (n = 82) and nurses (n = 54). The most frequent job stressors were workload, lack of positive feedback, and inequity in social interactions. Physicians reported worse outcomes in terms of workload, autonomy, role conflicts, inequity in social interactions, and work-family balance compared to nurses. Mobbing, despite not being very frequent, significantly predicted different mental health outcomes for both physicians and nurses. Inequity in social interactions and job satisfaction were significant predictors of physicians' mental health, while role ambiguity, interpersonal conflicts, and career turnover intentions predicted nurses' mental health. As hypothesized, our findings highlight that certain job stressors (i.e., inequity in social interactions, conflicts in the workplace) might be affecting physicians' and nurses' mental health differently. Therefore, effective strategies addressing each subgroup's specific stressors would be necessary to prevent the development of burnout syndrome and other serious mental health conditions associated with occupational stress. These strategies would imply organizational changes in most cases.

The role of general practice nurses in supporting people to quit smoking: A qualitative study.

Encounters with General Practitioners (GPs) have previously been identified as opportune for the delivery of smoking cessation care however the role of nurses in general practice settings is unclear. This study aimed to understand how nurses are providing smoking cessation care in general practice. Participants were registered nurses currently working in a general practice setting in Australia, who participated in one-off interviews over Zoom. Interviews were recorded and a thematic analysis was conducted. Fourteen nurses participated of which 13 (93%) were female. Three themes were evident in the data: 1) Nurses' current practices in supporting people to quit smoking, 2) The influence of the general practice setting on smoking cessation discussions and 3) The challenges experienced by nurses in providing optimal smoking cessation care. Theme one describes the strategies currently employed by nurses to deliver smoking cessation care such as identifying appropriate clinical scenarios to have smoking cessation conversations with patients. Theme two explores the impact of diversity in the systems, processes, and structures across Australian general practice settings on the support offered by nurses, such as opportunities for ongoing relationships with patients Theme three focuses on ambiguity in nurses' roles within the practice setting including a lack of clarity for nurses in their roles in delivering smoking cessation care in the general practice setting. General practice nurses recognise the importance of their role in providing smoking cessation care and consider that general practice settings are ideally positioned to deliver that care. Smoking cessation care provided by nurses varies according to systems and processes within general practice clinics and relationships with general practitioners. Vaping is an emerging issue and nurses are seeking information on how to address this with patients. There is opportunity to support nurses to provide improved smoking cessation care.

Safety Stressors and Coal Miners' Safety Performance: The Mediating Role of Resilience and Coping Styles.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of three different safety stressors (safety role ambiguity, safety role conflicts, and safety interpersonal conflicts) on safety performance of coal miners under the mediating role of resilience and coping styles. The study is cross-sectional. To collect data to analyze the hypothesized relationships in the present study, a total of 450 questionnaires were distributed to coal miners in Shannxi Province of China. Regression analysis was employed as the main statistical technique in analyzing the data using SPSS 22.0 and Process 4.1. The results of regression analysis indicate that the three kind of safety stressors have a negative predictive effect on coal miners' safety performance. Resilience and coping styles both were the mediating variables between the safety stressors (safety role ambiguity, safety role conflicts, and safety interpersonal conflicts) and coal miners' safety performance, and resilience and coping styles play a chain mediating role between the safety stressors (safety role ambiguity, safety role conflicts, and safety interpersonal conflicts) and safety performance of coal miners. This study further explores the mechanism between safety stressors and safety performance, providing theoretical guidance for improving the safety performance of coal mines. It emphasizes the importance of coal miner's resilience intervention, positive coping styles promotion, and negative coping styles prevention in coal mine safety production.

Comparing Workplace Experiences of Physical Education Teachers and Physical Education Teacher Education Faculty Members

Purpose: This study aimed to understand differences in workplace experiences based on occupation (i.e., physical education, physical education teacher education) and gender (i.e., male, female). Methods: Survey data were used to evaluate perceptions of mattering, resilience, marginalization, isolation, role stressors, and emotional exhaustion among physical educators (n = 421) and teacher educators (n = 286). Results: Factorial analyses of variance showed that teacher educators reported higher perceived mattering and less marginality and isolation than in-service teachers. Teachers reported higher role ambiguity and emotional exhaustion, and teacher educators reported more role conflict and overload. Female faculty members reported the highest role overload among the groups, and male physical education teachers felt more overloaded than did female teachers. Women reported less resilience. Discussion: The results provide initial empirical evidence that higher education contexts may be perceived as less stressful, which supports the implied notion of in-service teachers’ washing up to higher education roles.

Centering Health Equity in the Implementation of the Hospital Incident Command System: A Qualitative Case Comparison Study.

Disasters exacerbate inequities in health care. Health systems use the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) to plan and coordinate their disaster response. This study examines how 2 health systems prioritized equity in implementing the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and identifies factors that influenced implementation. This is a qualitative case comparison study, involving semi-structured interviews with 29 individuals from 2 US academic health systems. Strategies for promoting health equity were categorized by social determinants of health. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) guided analysis using a hybrid inductive-deductive approach. The health systems used various strategies to incorporate health equity throughout implementation, addressing all 5 social determinants of health domains. Facilitators included HICS principles, external partnerships, community relationships, senior leadership, health equity experts and networks, champions, equity-stratified data, teaming, and a culture of health equity. Barriers encompassed clarity of the equity representative role, role ambiguity for equity representatives, tokenism, competing priorities, insufficient resource allocation, and lack of preparedness. These findings elucidate how health systems centered equity during HICS implementation. Health systems and regulatory bodies can use these findings as a foundation to revise the HICS and move toward a more equitable disaster response.

Workplace Stress of Special School Teachers at Three Schools in Bali Province

Workplace stress is often seen as a threat or a problem that comes from the work environment. Stress is a feeling resulting from the interaction between the individual and the work environment. Work stress can happen to anyone at any time, including special school teachers. This research aims to describe the workplace stress of special school teachers at three schools in the Bali Province. This research was conducted in October-December 2022. Researcher used quantitative research method with cross-sectional design and descriptive approach. Data collection is carried out using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire-III and the Occupational Diagnosis Survey from the Ministry of Manpower Indonesia. The sample of this research was 95 participants. Researcher use total sampling technique. The results showed that 52.63 percent of respondent experience workplace stress in the moderate categories and 44.21 percent in the mild categories. Based on the diagnosis to what extent work conditions are a source of stress, 14.74 percent of respondents are moderately stressed due to ambiguity of roles, 15.74 percent are due to role conflict, 37.89 percent are due to quantitative overload, 57.89 percent are due to qualitative overload, 13.68 percent are due to career development, and 62.11 percent are due to responsibility towards others.

ANALISIS DETERMINAN STRESS DAN PENGARUHNYA TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN DAN TURNOVER INVENTION: STUDI KASUS LEMBAGA KEUANGAN PERBANKAN DAN NON PERBANKAN DI SURABAYA

Stress is something that can be experienced by employees and staff who work in any sector (education, health or economic sectors). This research analyzes stress through the variables 1) Role Overload, (2) Role Conflict,(3) Role Ambiguity, (4) Work Family Conflict which influences Turnover Invention through the influence of the Performance variable. 
 This research used a total of 240 respondents who were divided into 5 characteristics, namely Age, Gender, Position, Age and Education Level. 
 The results of this research are that Role Overload, Role Conflict, Role Ambiguity and Work Family Conflict have a negative effect on Performance. On the other hand, the stress variable has a positive effect on Turnover Invention. Employee performance has a negative effect on Turnover Invention.
 Keywords: Stress, Performance, Turnover Invention

Occupational Burnout among Employees in Serbian Banking Sector: Evidence during Covid-19 Pandemic

This paper examines occupational burnout among employees in the banking sector in Serbia, with an emphasis on the Covid-19 pandemic. Workload, short deadlines, role ambiguity, role conflict, lack of autonomy, job insecurity, new technologies, overly demanding clients, constant pressure for high performance, and fierce and increasing competition make the banking sector one of the most stressful. Banking institutions have undergone various changes in their strategies, organization, and structure in the past due to new technologies, processes, and working conditions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The research results of conducted empirical study based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory, in which 165 employees from Serbian banks participated in the first quarter of 2022, revealed a higher level of emotional exhaustion among employees who had daily direct contact with clients and those who worked from office, a higher level of depersonalization among male respondents, and a lower personal accomplishment among employees with less working experience.

Workplace Stressors, Employee Welfare, and Productivity

This study was about the delicate balance between employee well-being and organizational productivity. On the one hand, if work demand was too high, employees would be too stressed, and organizational productivity would be affected. On the other hand, if a workplace is too relaxed, the business may not survive. An optimal combination of employee well-being and organizational productivity had to be addressed in equal terms. The method used to identify potential workplace stressors was qualitative in as much as it made use of observations and interviews with informants. The method used to determine levels of workplace stressor experience of employees was descriptive-quantitative. This study made use of employee work stressor experience as leverage to highlight its dynamics with employee welfare and organizational productivity. Work stressors in the context of a fast-food establishment were identified. Employees were given survey questionnaires to determine the levels of workplace stressor experience. One-way ANOVA was used to determine the significance of the difference between workplace stressors, and subsequently, areas of intervention were identified. The conclusions were the following. Role conflict, role ambiguity, work overload, working conditions, and workplace relationships were identified as potential workplace stressors based on fast-food operations and settings. Identified workplace stressors were experienced by employees at varying levels. There was a significant difference between workplace stressors. Interventions were to include all identified stressors beginning with the most prevalent, work overload. Areas of intervention included social and organizational support, employee stress-coping attitudes and skills, work performance abilities, and work-life balance.

Pressure and Its Impact on Job Satisfaction and Organizational Performance

This paper explores the complex idea of work pressure among Chinese hospital administrators and how it affects job happiness and overall effectiveness of the organisation. Hospital directors confront a wide range of intricate issues within the framework of China's distinct healthcare system because of their twin responsibilities as administrative and medical leaders. The dimensions of role pressure are examined in this study, which include role gap, role overload, where the workload is excessive, role ambiguity, and the role of conflict. Understanding these aspects is essential to appreciating the effectiveness and well-being of hospital administration. Given that job happiness is a major factor in both employee performance and retention, these pressures have a significant effect on job satisfaction. The study also looks at the wider effects of pressure on organisational performance, which is crucial for the long-term viability and efficiency of healthcare facilities. Through an examination of these facets, the paper illuminates the noteworthy, albeit frequently disregarded, psychological and operational obstacles encountered by hospital administrators in China. This, in turn, offers valuable perspectives on the possibility of policy and administrative changes targeted at augmenting job contentment and organisational results.

Mediation Effect of Work Stress on the Relationship between Role Conflict, Role Ambiguity, and Employees Performance

Purpose – The aim of this study was to examine how role conflict and role ambiguity, mediated by work stress, influenced employees performance. Methodology – A quantitative analysis was performed by using the Slovin formula for a total sample of 114 employees from PT MSP, a prominent household appliances company in East Java, Indonesia. The collected data were analyzed using SEM SmartPls-3. Results – The results showed that both role conflict and role ambiguity exerted a significant negative impact on employees performance, and also contributed to increased work stress. Moreover, work stress showed a significant negative impact on employees performance. The inclusion of work stress as an intermediary highlighted its role in mediating the negative relationship between role conflict, role ambiguity, and employees performance. Originality – Incorporating work stress as a mediator in the connection between these variables enriched the exploration of the interrelation. This intricate relationship required a deeper understanding for the optimization of employees performance.

- Auditor’s Integrity: The Balance of Roles

Auditor integrity is very important to ensure audit quality. However, auditor integrity can be influenced by pressure from superiors such as role conflict, role ambiguity, and role overload. This study aims to examine the effect of the three role pressure factors on auditor integrity and performance. This quantitative research with a causality approach was conducted through Google Form by involving staff auditors who work for 52 KAPs in Surabaya. Then the primary data was analyzed using SmartPLS. The results show that role conflict and role ambiguity have a significant negative effect on auditor integrity, while role overload has a positive but insignificant effect. Auditor integrity significantly negatively mediates the effect of role conflict and role ambiguity on auditor performance, and significantly positively mediates the effect of role overload on auditor performance. This study concludes that role pressure can threaten auditor integrity, so steps need to be taken to reduce pressure so that auditors can maintain their integrity.
 
 Keywords: Role Conflict, Role Ambiguity, Role Overload, Auditor Integrity, Auditor Performance.

'A lot of people think it's just a Mickey Mouse role': Role ambiguity among dementia support workers within secondary care and community hospital settings.

Purpose: Dementia support workers (DSWs) are employed to improve the hospital care for patients living with dementia. An evaluation sought to understand the perspectives and experiences of DSWs and related healthcare practitioners within one health board, to identify any role ambiguity and inform future role development.Design/methodology/approach: Framework analysis was used to synthesise data from semi-structured interviews and focus groups with dementia support workers, and a wider group of related healthcare practitioners.Findings: Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with DSWs. Two focus groups were held with DSWs (n = 2 and 4) and two with associated healthcare practitioners (n = 3 and 5). Participants described inconsistencies in the understanding and delivery of the DSW role. Role ambiguity was identified as a key theme.Originality/value: This paper offers insight into challenges experienced by DSWs and addresses factors that could help improve and support the DSW role, and potentially the experience of other staff, and patients/people living with dementia. Overall, this evaluation highlights both the value of the DSW role in supporting the needs of patients/people living with dementia and the potential for person-centred activities to be used as therapeutic interventions.

The professional identity of elementary school rabbis in the national-religious education system in Israel

ABSTRACT The current study delves into the professional identity of elementary school rabbis within the national-religious education system in Israel, focusing on the perspectives of the rabbis themselves and examining how their professional identity impacts their work. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 rabbis who were selected using a convenience sampling method. The findings reveal that their professional identity is influenced by role ambiguity and conflicts within the school’s work environment. Moreover, the study highlights the rabbis’ direct engagement with students, parents, and staff in various educational activities, providing assistance and support. These findings have significant implications for religious education, offering insights to enhance the work of rabbis in this context.

Linking red tape originating from digital tools to affective commitment: the mediating roles of role ambiguity and work engagement

ABSTRACT Teachers are confronted with high levels of red tape in their jobs. By building on the Job Demands-Resources model, this article investigates how red tape originating from digital tools is related to teachers’ affective commitment. By exploring the mediating roles of role ambiguity and work engagement, we aim to advance the understanding of the underlying mechanisms explaining why employees react in a certain way to red tape. Time-lagged data (three waves) provides evidence for a negative indirect relationship between red tape originating from digital tools and affective commitment, serially mediated by role ambiguity and work engagement.

Association of Nurses’ Autonomy and Perception Toward Electronic Health Records with Decision-making

Background: Nurses with valid and reliable clinical data documentation can make autonomous decisions about their patients' management or treatment options. Purpose: To examine the association of nurses’ autonomy and perception toward electronic health records with decision-making. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample size of 120 nurses with six months of clinical experience working in a medical/surgical unit in two hospitals in Amman, the capital of Jordan. Results: Nurses' perceived patient care autonomy scores correlated significantly and positively with their decision-making modes (p < 0.010). Similarly, nurses' perceived unit operation autonomy scores correlated significantly and positively with the nurses' decision-making modes (p < 0.010). Nurses with an analytical decision-making mode reported higher autonomy scores than those with an intuitive decision-making mode (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study found significant differences in the nurses’ levels of autonomy based on their decisionmaking modes. Also, there was a significant association between nurses’ autonomy levels and their decision-making modes. Future research is recommended to improve nurses’ levels of autonomy to empower and inform their clinical decisions, thus improving patients' clinical outcomes. Implications for Nursing: Future interventional research should be directed to improve the decision-making skills of Jordanian nurses by enhancing their autonomy and control over practice. Also, future qualitative research is recommended to examine perceived nurses' role ambiguity and conflict in Jordan. Keywords: Autonomy, Perception toward electronic health records, Decision-making, Nurses.