Operational Performance in High-Pressure Fintech Environments: The Role of Job Stress Calibration in Emerging Economies
Operational Performance in High-Pressure Fintech Environments: The Role of Job Stress Calibration in Emerging Economies

Summary/Abstract: Research background: The fintech sector in Nigeria, especially in Lagos State, has grown rapidly, creating high-pressure work environments where employee stress affects organisational performance. Although job stress has been widely studied in traditional banking, limited research has focused on fintech firms in Africa. Based on person-environment fit theory, this study examines how pressure-induced stress, workload-induced stress, role ambiguity, and role conflict influence operational performance. Purpose of the article: This paper investigates the effects of four job stress dimensions on the operational performance of fintech firms in Lagos State, Nigeria, and identifies the strongest predictor of organisational outcomes. Methods: A quantitative survey design was employed. Data were collected between December 2024 and March 2025 from 385 fintech employees selected through multi-stage sampling. Structured questionnaires based on validated scales were used, and hypotheses were tested using simple regression analysis at a 5% significance level. Findings & Value added: All four stress dimensions had significant positive effects on operational performance. Role conflict showed the strongest predictive power (β = 0.654, R² = 0.274), followed by workload-induced stress (β = 0.401, R² = 0.208), role ambiguity (β = 0.354, R² = 0.121), and pressure-induced stress (β = 0.342, R² = 0.148). The findings contribute to job stress literature by showing that stress can positively influence performance in fintech environments when employees’ capabilities align with workplace demands. The study also provides practical implications for stress management, workload regulation, and role clarification in Nigeria’s fintech sector.

• Details
• Contents