Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Leadership Strategies to Reduce Employees' Occupational Stress Ransford George Davidson Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Finance and Financial Management Commons, and the Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral study by Ransford George Davidson has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Robert Hockin, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Robert Miller, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Neil Mathur, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Leadership Strategies to Reduce Employees’ Occupational Stress by Ransford George Davidson MBA, Florida International University, 2014 BS, Northern Caribbean University, 2010 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University October 2018 Abstract Job-related aspects of the work environment, such as work pressure, workload, leadership, and management support cause occupational stress and increase costs to organizations. Grounded in the job demands-resources model theory, the purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies some bank managers use to reduce employees’ occupational stress. The interview process included 5 managers employed at a bank in the Caribbean who successfully implemented strategies that reduced employees’ occupational stress. The data collection and analysis process involved face-to-face, semistructured interviews and analysis of organizational documentation. Using the exploratory approach in data analysis, data were systematically integrated, evaluated, and summarized through a process of coding and generating themes and patterns. During the coding process, 4 major themes emerged: organizational protection and leadership, supportive organization, occupational health and well-being, and prevention. Business managers who develop and execute strategies centered on these themes might reduce job- related stress factors and the negative consequences of occupational stress. The study results might prompt business leaders to develop prevention strategies to address the causes of potential stressors linked to work conditions. The implications for positive social change include the potential for improving employee health and reducing health costs to employees, their families, and communities. Leadership Strategies to Reduce Employees’ Occupational Stress by Ransford George Davidson MBA, Florida International University, 2014 BS, Northern Caribbean University, 2010 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University October 2018 Dedication I give all honor, praise, and glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the faith, resiliency, and confidence to overcome overwhelming odds and succeed. This doctoral study is also dedicated to my parents, Gwendolyn Davidson and Nalford Davidson, who created a solid spiritual foundation for me to build on and to become a positive catalyst for change in the world. Acknowledgment If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side, my successes would have been merely imaginative. First, I must acknowledge my Lord and Savior who made all things possible and for giving me the strength of character to complete another journey. To Dr. Robert Hockin my chair, thank you for your dynamic and inspiring leadership and quality guidance extended, to assist me in achieving another goal. Dr. Bob Miller and Dr. Neil Mathur, thank you for the thoroughness and depth of your reviews which significantly contributed to the overall quality of my work and ensured adherence to established research protocols. To my dear wife Davina Alexia Davidson and immediate family members, thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement that inspired me to fight the odds and to navigate life’s obtrusive curves that could have derailed my accomplishments. Finally, thanks to my close friends, co-workers, and colleagues who inspired hope within me and gave me that extra drive and determination to complete this journey. Table of Contents List of Figures ..................................................................................................................... v Section 1: Foundation of the Study ..................................................................................... 1 Background of the Problem............................................................................................. 1 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................... 2 Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................... 3 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................... 3 Research Question ........................................................................................................... 4 Interview Questions......................................................................................................... 5 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................... 5 Secondary Theory ........................................................................................................ 6 Operational Definitions ................................................................................................... 7 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................. 9 Assumptions ................................................................................................................ 9 Limitations ................................................................................................................... 9 Delimitations ............................................................................................................. 10 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................. 10 Contribution to Business Practice.............................................................................. 11 Implications for Social Change ................................................................................. 11 i A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ............................................... 12 Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model Theory ........................................................ 14 Occupational Stress ................................................................................................... 19 Stress Impact on Productivity and Economic Costs .................................................. 28 Occupational Stress Causes ....................................................................................... 32 Occupational Stress Impact on Well-Being ............................................................... 59 Organizational Protection and Leadership ................................................................ 64 Occupational Stress Reduction Strategies ................................................................. 86 Global Occupational Stress Prevention Strategies .................................................... 96 Transition Summary .................................................................................................... 100 Section 2: The Project ..................................................................................................... 102 Purpose Statement ....................................................................................................... 102 Role of the Researcher ................................................................................................ 102 Participants .................................................................................................................. 106 Research Method and Design ...................................................................................... 107 Research Method ..................................................................................................... 108 Research Design ...................................................................................................... 111 Population and Sampling ............................................................................................ 115 Ethical Research .......................................................................................................... 118 ii Data Collection ...........................................................................................................