The Impact of Workplace Characteristics on Healthcare Employee Performance in Pakistan: TheMediating Role of Job Stress.

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of workplace characteristics, specifically resilience, cyber loafing, and workplace ostracism on healthcare employee performance in Pakistan, with job stress serving as a mediating variable. The research was conducted in hospitals located in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where organizational dynamics and cultural contexts present unique challenges for healthcare professionals. Drawing on theories of organizational behavior and stress management, the study employed a quantitative research design using structured questionnaires distributed among hospital employees. A sample of 176 respondents was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with Smart PLS 3.3.3 software. The measurement model demonstrated strong reliability and validity, with Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding 0.70, composite reliability ranging from 0.904 to 0.975, and average variance extracted (AVE) values between 0.610 and 0.753. Discriminant validity was confirmed through Fornell-Larcker criteria and HTMT ratios, while variance inflation factor (VIF) scores indicated no collinearity concerns. The structural model results revealed that resilience significantly reduced job stress, while cyber loafing and workplace ostracism increased stress levels. Job stress, in turn, had a significant negative effect on employee performance. Mediation analysis confirmed that job stress mediated the relationships between resilience, cyber loafing, ostracism, and employee performance. These findings highlight the critical role of stress management in healthcare organizations, where workplace dynamics directly influence employee well-being and productivity. The study contributes to the literature by addressing gaps in understanding the interplay between workplace characteristics and employee performance in developing country contexts. Practical recommendations include resilience-building programs, policies to reduce cyber loafing, interventions to mitigate workplace ostracism, and proactive stress management strategies. By implementing these measures, healthcare institutions can enhance employee performance, reduce stress, and ultimately improve patient care outcomes.