Managerial challenges for software houses related to work, worker and workplace: Stress reduction and sustenance of human capital

Abstract

The study aims to assess work, worker and workplace challenges for software houses’ management in Canada and Pakistan, specifically exploring stress reduction and sustenance of human capital through social support programme. Study focuses to attain the gender and contrasting management level perspective. The managerial literature from four decades about organisational commitment, occupational stress, and social support at workplace was included to gain qualitative perspective. Total 67 respondents from private IT firms in Karachi and Toronto were interviewed using purposive and convenience sampling technique. It is evident that stress reduction and employee retention are the biggest challenges for IT firms. It has been evaluated that females are less vulnerable to stress as compared to males due to effective use of social support programme. Findings revealed that females received and perceived emotional support better than their counterparts do. Additionally, managerial position employees have lower stress and higher overall commitment as compared to non-managerial positioned workers. In terms of economies, Toronto has lower stress than Karachi workforce. Interestingly, female managers have higher normative and continuance commitment; while, male managers have higher affective commitment. The findings confirmed that overall stress level, causes, and effects vary in terms of gender in both countries. However, in contrast to Canada (developed economy); higher stressors exist in Pakistan (developing economy).