Locating Behavioral Cynicism at Work: Construct Issues and Performance Implications

Abstract

In this article, we situate organizational cynicism at the nexus of the related constructs of burnout, stress, and antisocial behavior. We expand Dean, Brandes, and Dharwadkar's (1998) notion of behavioral cynicism to include cynical humor and cynical criticism. We also propose that cynical behavior has important, non-linear effects on employee work performance. Finally, we suggest that cynical behavior may act as a coping mechanism for employees and that such behavior moderates the stress–performance relationship.

Citation

Brandes, P. and Das, D. (2006), "Locating Behavioral Cynicism at Work: Construct Issues and Performance Implications", Perrewé, P.L. and Ganster, D.C. (Ed.) Employee Health, Coping and Methodologies (Research in Occupational Stress and Well Being, Vol. 5), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 233-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3555(05)05007-9