Title: Factors affecting job performance within small indigenous retail businesses operating along the Irish border

Authors: Charles John McGuigan; Karen McGuigan; John Mallett

Addresses: School of Psychology, University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Room MB 204, Londonderry, BT48 7JL, Ireland ' Northwest Research, Cashelmore Park, Londonderry, BT48, Ireland ' School of Psychology, University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Room MB 204, Londonderry, BT48 7JL, Ireland

Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between workplace stress and work performance, with job satisfaction, motivation and innovation acting as possible mediators of this relationship. The sample comprises of 109 retail employees (22 males, 87 females) aged 18 to 61 years working in small indigenous retail businesses located in cross border counties of Derry (Northern Ireland) and Donegal (Republic of Ireland). MPlus (Muthén and Muthén, 1998-2009) is used to specify a model explaining the relationship between all factors. The results show significant direct effects of workplace stress on job satisfaction, motivation and innovation, with indirect effects evident for workplace stress on job performance. The results provide an interesting backdrop to discussions around employee effectiveness and productivity in indigenous SMEs in the current challenging economic climate.

Keywords: indigenous retailers; workplace stress; job performance; small business; small firms; innovativeness; economic downturn; recession; Ireland; border counties; Irish border; job satisfaction; motivation; innovation; employee effectiveness; productivity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2015.071319

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2015 Vol.26 No.1, pp.43 - 60

Received: 14 Jul 2014
Accepted: 30 Nov 2014
Published online: 20 Aug 2015 *

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