Witnessing workplace bullying and the Chinese manufacturing employee
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between witnessing workplace bullying behavior and employee attitudes and intentions to turnover.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 150 full‐time employees from two mid‐sized indigenous private manufacturing plants from the province of Henan, China were surveyed at a single point in time.
Findings
Findings indicate a negative relationship between witnessing workplace bullying and employee satisfaction and commitment. In addition, strain and satisfaction fully mediate the relationship between witnessing workplace bullying and employee intention to turnover.
Research limitations/implications
Given the link between witnessing workplace bullying and employee attitudes, it is important for Chinese managers to ensure that interactions with employees maintain a positive and professional tone.
Originality/value
The paper's findings suggest that it is not necessary for an employee to be the personal victim of bullying behavior, rather an employee need only be an observer of workplace bullying in order to experience increases in physical and emotional strain.
Keywords
Citation
Sims, R.L. and Sun, P. (2012), "Witnessing workplace bullying and the Chinese manufacturing employee", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 27 No. 1, pp. 9-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683941211193839
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited