Occupational Stress: A Cross-sectional Analysis of Software Professionals in Kerala

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The dynamic, virtual and technology-driven modern work environment created extremely demanding jobs for software professionals. Do they work in a stressful environment or are more adaptive to the situation?

Methods/Statistical analysis: The study adopts exploratory, descriptive and explanatory research designs. It relies on primary data collected through questionnaires in sample survey. It analyses the work demographics, inhibitors of occupational stress and its psychological consequences among software professionals in Kerala through a multi-stage stratified sampling study of 438 professionals working in the three Government owned Information Technology(IT) parks of Kerala, India. Inferential statistics like t-test, ANOVA and Correlation lead to meaningful conclusions.

Findings: Results point out that even though the professionals do suffer from work stress, a paradigm shift has occurred in the work environment of software professionals in Kerala. Role ambiguity, appraisal and promotion issues, work-life conflict, workload, cognitive and other demands, job insecurity, strained relations, fear of obsolescence, salary and rewards, and inefficient grievance redressal mechanism were identified as the stress inhibitors. Occupational stress among software professionals in Kerala vary significantly across company size, work position, working hours, experience in the present company and total industry experience. They report psychological consequences in the form of professional anxiety, distracted private life and loss of vigour which were positively correlated to various stress inhibitors. As against the previous studies, salary and rewards, job insecurity and fear of obsolescence were reported as the stress inhibitors. The study adds to the literature by substantiating the influence of work demographics on occupational stress. It pinpoints the need to strengthen the communication system in IT companies along with framing standardized guidelines for proper work allocation.

Novelty/Applications: The study provides enhanced understanding of software professionals and highlights the strategies useful for Human Resource(HR) managers not only to ameliorate job stress but also to enhance satisfaction and motivation.