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BANKING PERSONNEL & BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS.
Term Paper ID:12416
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Essay Subject:
Alcoholism, stress, divorce, unethical practices.... More...
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9 Pages / 2025 Words
10 sources, 12 Citations,
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Paper Abstract:
Alcoholism, stress, divorce, unethical practices.
Paper Introduction:
INTRODUCTION
It is the purpose of this research to examine some of the more significant behavioral problems being confronted by contemporary commercial banking institutions in the United States. Specifically, the problem areas considered in this research are those related to: 1) alcoholism among banking personnel; 2) excessive levels of occupational stress experienced by banking personnel; 3) an increase in the divorce rate among banking personnel; and 4) an increase in the incidence level of unethical practices committed in commercial banking organizations.
The findings of this research are presented in two separate discussions. The first of these discussions is concerned with the presentation of evidence as to the existence and significance
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19-27), anobjective which is often accompanied by increased stress levels for someindividuals, which, in turn, is accommodated by a few individuals throughan increased reliance on drugs.Occupational Stressin Commercial Banking Most analysts--whether they be organizational or psychological--notonly recognize that stress exists for individuals functioning within anorganizational environment, they also recognize that some level of stressusually makes a positive contribution to individual performance within anorganizational setting. The fact that it is a partof a wider societal problem, however, does not lessen its significance forthe affected commercial banking institutions. Cox, A. News & World Report, XCIV: pp. 123-125. . Additionally, this activity, which may well lead to divorce, is viewed ultimately to have a negative effect on family, thus community, and finally, corporate welfare (Cox, 1982, p. (1983, February 28). Bankers take a new risk as foreign traders. But extramarital affairs, being likely to take time and energy away from the corporation, cause frowns. Bankers: Everybody's favoritetarget. 6 . Specifically, the problem areasconsidered in this research are those related to: 1) alcoholism amongbanking personnel; 2) excessive levels of occupational stress experiencedby banking personnel; 3) an increase in the divorce rate among bankingpersonnel; and 4) an increase in the incidence level of unethical practicescommitted in commercial banking organizations. Those misleading bank ads.Newsweek CI: p. Quinn, J. Productivity in commercialbanking. References Armacost, H. In commercial banking, many of the new types of business activitiesopened up to commercial banking institutions as a consequence of de-regulation require extensive travel and longer working hours than have beentypical in the banking industry (Armacost, 1983, p. Laying bare the risks of diversified banking. 27-3 .----------------------- 11 U.S. 77-82). The key point for emphasis in thedevelopment of such prevention programs is that of occupational stress, forit is highly probable that substance abuse and divorce are forms ofreaction to stress. 7). In the mid-198 s, the scope of problem must be expanded, so that "thealcoholism problem" is considered and addressed in the broader context of"the substance abuse problem" (Scherschel, 1983, pp. The last of the factors contributing to an increase in the incidencelevel of unethical practices in commercial banking operations involves theapplication of computer technology to the industry's operations.Computerization has been responsible for two impacts in the context ofunethical practices. 122) has been a source of increasedstress for the individuals involved. These pressures have been manifested inseveral practices involving a deterioration of ethical standards. 31. First, computer technology has made it possible toconduct unethical practices in ways previously unavailable in the bankingindustry, and, secondly, the application of computer technology to bankingoperations has brought into the industry many persons who have not beeneducated and trained in the fiduciary responsibilities of the industry. 31). When the organizations are in the private sector, there does notappear to be any specific industries which experience alcoholism problemsto a significantly greater extent than others. 6 ), with the knowledge thatsignificant proportions of the banking public will be misled. 29. The Cox report on the American corporation. News & World Report XCIV: p. Esquire C: pp. For the most part, executives have considerable freedom to exercise their personal lives in just about any fashion they choose. The entry of many of thecountry's smaller non-financial center banks into foreign currency trading("Bankers Take a New..." 1983, p. Not the least in importance among these characteristics isthe drive for increased productivity (Brand and Duke, 1982, pp. 2. (1983, December 5). The handling of enormous volumes ofmoney derived from illegal activities, without questioning the sources ofthe funds, is often done by commercial banking institutions because of theprofit potential of such transactions for commercial banking institutions(Kohn, 1983, pp. NewYork: Delacorte Press. While no one has suggested that commercial bankers are co-conspirators insuch dealings, suggestions are made to the effect that commercial bankersask too few questions about the sources of enormous sums of money.Regardless of the exact nature of the situation involved when a commercialbanking institution is handling enormous sums of money related to illegalactivities, high levels of stress are created for the commercial bankingpersonnel involved in such dealings. The extent to which drugs other than alcohol are abusedjustifies the expansion of the scope of the problem area; however, theabuse of alcohol--alcoholism--remains as the greatest problem in thesubstance abuse problem area for commercial banking institutions (and forall other organizations). 19-27. In 1984, however, it is estimated that such funds are thesingle largest source of funds for Florida banks--an economic fact of lifeof great importance to both state and federal officials. . 27-3 ). 122. 123-125), and many bothinside and outside of the commercial banking industry hold that this typeof activity continues to be possible only because of the high profitscommercial banks are able to earn on such dealings (Kohn, 1983, pp. though it is not necessarily smiled on by corporations, tolerance is usually an unofficial policy. In great part, this attitude in commercialbanking is a product of the tradition in the industry of placing greatvalue on stability-in professional or in personal activities.Unethical Practicesin Commercial Banking Unethical practices have tended to increase in the commercial bankingindustry since the late-198 s as a result of three factors. In one respect, the very nature ofthe business generates higher stress levels, while, in another respect,individuals are, in many instances, being asked to perform well in what is,for them, unknown territory. Scherschel, P. . Although this problem area does not apply toall commercial banking institutions, it is a significant problem area forcommercial banking institutions located in Florida and in some of thecountry's major cities located outside of Florida. Within commercial banking organizations, it isnecessary to insure that specific individuals are not made to feel thatthey bear full responsibility for the organization's success or failure.Thus, the adoption of a management-by-objectives program, or some similarprogram wherein individuals are able to see the significance of theircontributions without simultaneously developing a feeling of solitaryresponsibility for the organization's success or failure appears to be onepromising solution alternative to the problems of occupational stress,alcoholism, and divorce in the commercial banking industry and in itsinstitutions. (1983, June 13).Business week, 2769: p. (1983, January 31). (1983, April 11). Cook, J. 276). In order for this money to be fully usable to those whopossess control over it, it is necessary that it be processed in such a waythat it will appear to have been derived from legitimate pursuits. INTRODUCTION It is the purpose of this research to examine some of the moresignificant behavioral problems being confronted by contemporary commercialbanking institutions in the United States. . 77-84. (1983, March 7).Business Week, 2754: p. In relation to the "laundering" of enormous sums of money derivedfrom illegal activities, the solution likely lies in the political arena.When the control of drug trafficking and other forms of criminal activitiesbecomes of greater importance to the country's political leaders-from thePresident on down--than is the overall level of economic activity, then itis likely that regulatory authorities will act to halt the laundering ofsuch funds. Another factor which is most certainly unique to the commercialbanking industry which is highly stress related but which also mostcertainly does not affect all commercial banking institutions is that ofhandling enormous sums of money derived through illegal transactions.Commercial bankers are considered to be "everybody's favorite laundryman"for illegal drug-related money (Cook, 1983, pp. (1982). . Amongthese practices are the following: 1. The findings of this research are presented in two separatediscussions. 7. Bank critics: Looking for ascapegoat. (1982, December). Kohn, H. In quite another context, however, a highdivorce rate may be perceived as an organizational problem area. In his study of the American corporation, Allan Coxsaid that: By and large, personal lives are important to corporations only insofar as they affect the corporations' business or image on a large scale. than it used to be . (1983, October). Cocaine: You can bank on it (Banks makingmoney off drugs by laundering money). Within the societal context, therefore, ahigh divorce rate is not a unique problem to the commercial bankingindustry, if, indeed, it can legitimately be considered as anorganizational problem at all. THE SOLUTION ALTERNATIVES The problems related to substance abuse, divorce, and occupationalstress should, in most instances, be considered as a group, for thepurposes of developing programs to counter their development within acommercial banking institution. In relation to unethical practices related to attempts by commercialbanking institutions to maintain or to increase market shares, the mostpromising solution alternative appears to be the development of revisedethical standards for activities by banking institutions in these areas ofendeavor, and the implementation of significant efforts on the part ofindustry associations to secure the acceptance of these revised standardsby all commercial banking institutions. Everybody's favorite laundryman.Forbes CXXXII: pp. and Duke, J. The use andthe abuse of drugs other than alcohol constitute significant problems forall organizations in the mid-198 s, and commercial banking institutions areno exception. These factorstend to place greater stress on the personal lives of the individualsconcerned, which, in turn, may be manifested in marital problems for someindividuals. Thus, in commercial banking, individuals are not, in any way, immunefrom the societal factors which have contributed to the high levels ofdivorce in the country since the end of World War II. Never-the-less, a stable marriage history is almost an essential inmost American corporations for advancement to higher management positions.As Cox has stated, most "executives who are single, or who have beenmarried several times, face career handicaps" (Cox, 1982, p. 77-84). Aside from the very significant societal factors which contribute tothe development of substance abuse problems by some individuals, there aresome characteristics of contemporary commercial banking which aggravatethese factors. 46). In relation to the problem area of unethical practices, thedevelopment of solution alternatives is more difficult, because of thediverse character of such practices. The emphasis on high levels of organizational performance incontemporary industrial environments and the pressures placed onindividuals to 'succeed' are contributors to stress-related problems whichare found in almost all organizations. De-regulation of the commercial banking industry has thrustcommercial banking into new and more competitive environments, a situationwhich contributes to increases in stress levels for many in commercialbanking--the hectic character of securities trading, as an example issignificantly different from most traditional commercial banking activitiesin this respect ("Laying Bare..." 1983, p. The first of these discussions is concerned with thepresentation of evidence as to the existence and significance of theproblems areas in contemporary commercial banking, while the seconddiscussion is concerned with the development of proposals which could beimplemented by a commercial banking institution to combat these problemsareas within the organizational structure. Monthly Labor Review CV, 12: pp. B. 29). Significant problems related to organizationalstress occur when: 1) stress levels rise to untenable levels for the normalindividual; and 2) when an individual who does not accommodate stress wellis placed in a high stress level position within an organizationalstructure. at current epidemic proportions, divorce is considerably more tolerated . Brand, H. The conduct of misleading advertising campaigns for the purposeof expanding business volume (Quinn, 1983, p. U.S. Bad loans catch up with another bank. Divorcehas traditionally been unacceptable in many, and, perhaps, most of thecountry's major corporate organizations, although this attitude isbeginning to change. . Within this context,therefore, the alcoholism problem within the banking industry may be viewedas simply a part of a wider societal problem. In addition to these factors whichare general to most organizations, there are some specific stress-inducingfactors which are either unique to the commercial banking industry or whichare a new phenomenon for all or some commercial banking industry personnel. The creation of excessive levels of stress in commercial bankingorganizations (or, for that matter, in any other type of organization) may(and usually does) lead to problems of other types, such as the developmentof dependencies on substances such as alcohol or the breakdown of personaland family relationships.Divorce Among Banking Personnel A high divorce rate is a phenomenon of American society in the lasthalf of the twentieth century. First, the newcompetitive environment in which commercial banking institutions mustfunction has led to increased pressures on banking personnel to developmeans for maintaining and expanding market shares in the new, as well asthe traditional, business areas. Extending loans of questionable worth, with the knowledge thatthey will quite likely go sour, but with a feeling that it is necessary tomake the loans for purposes of corporate growth ("Bad Loans Catch Up..."1983, p. The second factor involved is the presence within the Americaneconomy of enormous sums of money derived through the conduct of illegalactivities. News& World Report XCIV: p. (1983, April 11). U.S. In the area of computer facilitatedunethical practices, the most promising solution alternatives appear to bein the areas of: 1) the education of personnel without prior education orexperience in banking, as to the public responsibilities of the commercialbanking industry; and 2) the development of highly sophisticated computersecurity procedures. Their primary concern is that they avoid bringing any negative effect on their corporations' images or their conduct of daily business . More so than in someof the other industries, however, commercial banking has continued to frownon divorce for its personnel. THE PROBLEM AREAS Each of the four major problem areas--alcoholism, stress, divorce,and unethical practices--are discussed separately in this section,although, in practice, it is probable that many of the problem areas arehighly interrelated.Alcoholism Among Banking Personnel Alcoholism has become a major problem area for almost allorganizations, whether they be in the public sector or in the privatesector. Suchprocessing involves many different complicated procedures, which aretogether referred to as laundering. M.
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