The Impact of Work Stress on Organizational Silence in Palestinian Higher Education Institutions: The Mediating Role of Quality of Work Life

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between work stress and organizational silence in the presence of quality of work life as a mediating variable in Palestinian higher education institutions. The researcher adopted the descriptive-analytical approach. The study population consisted of all faculty members in universities located in the southern West Bank (Bethlehem and Hebron), totaling 832 members distributed across eight universities. The sample size was determined to be 263 individuals according to Stephen Thompson’s formula; however, the actual number of responses reached 287, yielding a response rate of 109%. The questionnaire was distributed using the simple random sampling method, and data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 and Smart PLS version 3. The results of the path analysis revealed a statistically significant partial indirect effect of work stress on organizational silence through quality of work life as a mediating variable at the significance level (α ≤ 0.05). The p-value for the total indirect effect was (0.004) with a T-value of (2.895). Among the dimensions of work stress, "role conflict" had the strongest effect, with a p-value of (0.000) and a T-value of (3.704), indicating that role conflict significantly contributes to the deterioration of quality of work life, which in turn leads to increased organizational silence. In light of these findings, the researcher recommends that university administrations in the southern West Bank work to reduce "role conflict" by minimizing task overlap and clarifying job roles, in order to enhance the quality of work life and reduce organizational silence among faculty members.