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Article
Publication date: 1 September 2020

Iselin Reknes, Mats Glambek and Ståle Valvatne Einarsen

Intention to leave as an outcome of exposure to workplace bullying is well documented in previous studies, yet, research on explanatory conditions for such an association is…

1472

Abstract

Purpose

Intention to leave as an outcome of exposure to workplace bullying is well documented in previous studies, yet, research on explanatory conditions for such an association is lacking.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study investigates the relationship between injustice perceptions, exposure to bullying behaviors and turnover intention, employing a moderated mediation analysis based on a reanalysis and extension of data gathered among a sample of Norwegian bus drivers (N = 1, 024).

Findings

As hypothesized, injustice perceptions were indirectly related to intention to leave via workplace bullying, however, only under conditions of higher perceived injustice levels.

Practical implications

The results underscore the importance of preventing workplace bullying and of maintaining ample levels of justice at work, where employees are treated with fairness and respect.

Originality/value

The study adds important knowledge to the bullying literature by focusing on the role of mechanisms and moderators in bullying situations, investigating how the combination of workplace bullying and injustice perceptions is reflected in employees' intention to leave the organization.

Details

Employee Relations: The International Journal, vol. 43 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 March 2019

Kari Einarsen, Denise Salin, Ståle Valvatne Einarsen, Anders Skogstad and Reidar Johan Mykletun

Drawing on the resource-based view, the purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which the level of the organization’s human resource management (HRM) practices…

1993

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on the resource-based view, the purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which the level of the organization’s human resource management (HRM) practices, perceived financial resources and organizational size predict the existence of a well-developed ethical infrastructure against workplace bullying.

Design/methodology/approach

The human resource (HR) managers or the main health and safety representatives (HSRs) in 216 Norwegian municipalities responded to an electronic survey, representing some 50 percent of the municipalities.

Findings

The level of high-quality HRM practice predicted the existence of an ethical infrastructure against workplace bullying, particularly informal systems represented by a strong conflict management climate. Perceived financial resources did not predict the existence of such ethical infrastructure. Organizational size predicted the existence of policies and having training against bullying.

Practical implications

This study informs practitioners about organizational resources associated with organization having a well-developed ethical infrastructure against workplace bullying. A high level of high-quality HRM practices seems to be more important for the existence of a well-developed ethical infrastructure against workplace bullying compared to financial resources and organizational size, at least as perceived by HR managers and HSRs.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence for the importance of having a high level of high-quality HRM practices as predictors of the existence of ethical infrastructure to tackle workplace bullying. An essential finding is that the existence of such an infrastructure is not dependent on distal resources, such as organizational size and perceived financial resources.

Details

Personnel Review, vol. 48 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0048-3486

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 September 2017

Lars Glasø, Anders Skogstad, Guy Notelaers and Ståle Einarsen

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which emotional experiences mediate the relationships between employees’ perception of considerate and/or tyrannical…

2188

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which emotional experiences mediate the relationships between employees’ perception of considerate and/or tyrannical leadership behaviors and their work engagement and intention to leave the organization. The notion of symmetric and asymmetric relationships between specific kinds of leadership behavior, emotional reactions, and followers’ attitudinal outcomes is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a survey design, the variables were assessed in a cross-sectional sample of 312 employees.

Findings

The study confirmed the notion of symmetric relationships between specific kinds of leadership behavior, emotional reactions, and followers’ attitudinal outcomes. Contrary to the general notion that “bad is stronger than good,” the results indicated that positive emotions were equal or stronger mediators than the negative ones regarding the two outcomes measured in the present study.

Originality/value

The paper is, to the authors’ knowledge, the first paper which examines simultaneously how constructive and destructive leadership styles, and positive and negative affects, are related to employee attitudes outcomes, and evokes a discussion when bad is stronger than good or vice versa regarding leadership outcomes.

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 39 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2010

Stig Berge Matthiesen and Ståle Einarsen

This article examines the phenomenon and concept of bullying in the workplace. Workplace bullying is a form of interpersonal aggression that can be both flagrant and subtle, but…

2098

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon and concept of bullying in the workplace. Workplace bullying is a form of interpersonal aggression that can be both flagrant and subtle, but is mainly characterized by its persistency and long term duration. The relationships between bullying and related concepts such as workplace aggression and interpersonal conflict are discussed. With reference to previous empirical research as well as theoretical contributions, an attempt is made to clarify some important aspects about the phenomenon, such as various subtypes of workplace bullying. Empirical findings on prevalence, antecedents and outcome factors are outlined and reviewed. The paper also discusses the dose-response perspective.

Details

International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1093-4537

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2007

Anders Skogstad, Stig Berge Matthiesen and Stale Einarsen

In the present paper direct as well as indirect relationships between organizational changes and exposure to bullying at work are investigated. Interpersonal conflicts are…

Abstract

In the present paper direct as well as indirect relationships between organizational changes and exposure to bullying at work are investigated. Interpersonal conflicts are hypothesized to mediate changes on bullying. Data from a sample of 2408 Norwegian employees confirmed that different organizational changes were moderately associated with task-related bullying at work, and that exposure to more changes increased the likelihood of being bullied. Structural equation modelling supported the assumption that changes were directly related to bullying. However, the hypothesis that changes were mediated on bullying through interpersonal conflicts was not supported. Results indicate that organizational changes and interpersonal conflicts are separate, and mainly independent, precursors of bullying at work.

Details

International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1093-4537

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1999

Ståle Einarsen

The present paper reviews and summarises the research and literature on the nature and causes of bullying at work. Bullying occurs when someone at work is systematically subjected…

22767

Abstract

The present paper reviews and summarises the research and literature on the nature and causes of bullying at work. Bullying occurs when someone at work is systematically subjected to aggressive behaviour from one or more colleagues or superiors over a long period of time, in a situation where the target finds it difficult to defend him or herself or to escape the situation. Such treatment tends to stigmatise the target and may even cause severe psychological trauma. Empirical studies on the causes of bullying have concentrated on the personality of the victim and psychosocial factors at work. Most studies treat bullying as a unified phenomenon, in spite of the fact that different kinds of behaviours are involved. The concepts of dispute‐related and predatory bullying are introduced in an effort to broaden the perspectives used in future investigations on both the nature and the causes of bullying at work.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 20 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2012

Gro Ellen Mathisen, Torvald Øgaard and Ståle Einarsen

The purpose of this paper is to simultaneously examine individual‐ and team‐level predictors of workplace victimization by applying two‐level modeling. Previous workplace…

2017

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to simultaneously examine individual‐ and team‐level predictors of workplace victimization by applying two‐level modeling. Previous workplace victimization research has primarily been conducted on the individual level of analysis, which may be insufficient when assessing organizational‐ and team‐level predictors of workplace victimization. The authors examined the relationships between target personality (Big Five personality factors), perceived stressors, work climate, and perceived workplace victimization.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted in organizations within the restaurant sector; the data were obtained using questionnaires completed by employees and supervisors (n=207) in 70 restaurants.

Findings

A model that included all variables fitted the data well. However, individual‐level perceived stressors was the only variable that was significantly related to workplace victimization. The facts that our model included team‐level climate factors and individual‐level personality traits, and both individual‐ and team‐level victimization showed good fit to the data, with only one specific variable in the model showing any significant relationship with bullying, may indicate that bullying is more a consequence of the total risk factors than related to specific factors, on an individual or team level. Hence, it is the additive effect of the factors that matters more than each individual factor.

Practical implications

Of practical relevance is that the paper provides evidence that both individual and team‐level factors are related to workplace victimization, indicating that bullying cannot be prevented by focusing on clearly defined risk factors either on team or individual levels. As a manager, one must work on all aspects of the social working environment, including the total vulnerability of one's employees and their respective levels of work stress.

Originality/value

From a methodological viewpoint, the paper demonstrates that an analysis of clustered individual‐level data, without the application of proper multilevel analysis, may lead to biased results.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 33 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 May 2011

Mona Berthelsen, Anders Skogstad, Bjørn Lau and Ståle Einarsen

This study aims to explore relationships between exposure to bullying at work and intention to leave the organisation, actual leaving the workplace, and exclusion from working…

3572

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore relationships between exposure to bullying at work and intention to leave the organisation, actual leaving the workplace, and exclusion from working life through sick leave or rehabilitation or disability pension.

Design/methodology/approach

A prospective design with two surveys of a national representative sample of the Norwegian work force was used (n=1,775). The response rate at the first data collection in 2005 was 56.4 per cent, and 70 per cent at the second data collection in 2007. Bullying was measured using two measurement methods: self‐labelled victims of bullying and exposure to bullying behaviour, respectively.

Findings

This study shows partial support for Leymann's assumption that bullying at work will lead to exclusion from working life. Logistic regressions showed that victims of bullying considered leaving their work more often than did individuals who were not bullied, on both measurement times. The results also showed that victims have changed employer more often than non‐victims. However, most victims are still working full time or part time two years later.

Practical implications

Prevention of workplace bullying must be handled through procedures on an organisational level. Rehabilitation programs and reintegration must be offered for employees unable to stay in their job. Counselling should be available for those who experience bullying or consider leaving their job.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study examining bullying, intention to leave, turnover and exclusion from working life with a prospective longitudinal design.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 32 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 August 2017

Arpana Rai and Upasna A Agarwal

An extensive amount of literature is available on workplace bullying in the Western context. With specific reference to the Indian context, there is limited literature on nature…

Abstract

Purpose

An extensive amount of literature is available on workplace bullying in the Western context. With specific reference to the Indian context, there is limited literature on nature of workplace bullying in Indian organizations as well, as there is no valid instrument to measure the prevalence of workplace bullying in Indian organizations. This paper aims to explore the nature of workplace bullying in Indian organization and examine the psychometric properties of Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) in Indian context.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a hardcopy version of a survey from 835 Indian managers during working hours.

Findings

The analysis identified three major categories and constituent sub-categories of bullying behaviors. The NAQ-R was found appropriate on psychometric criteria.

Research limitations/implications

Gender-blind perspective towards approaching bullying and no sector-wise differentiation in nature of bullying are the limitations of the study.

Practical implications

An understanding of nature of workplace bullying in Indian organizational may help managers to identify and timely intervene the bullying situations. This study can help to strengthen the potentialities of NAQ-R as a major organizational diagnosis measure for examining bullying in Indian organizations. A validation of NAQ-R would also help to stimulate the academic work on bullying in India and allow for cross-cultural comparison of studies.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine psychometric properties of the NAQ-R in Indian settings.

Details

Journal of Indian Business Research, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4195

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 April 2013

Morten Birkeland Nielsen, Lars Glasø, Stig Berge Matthiesen, Jarle Eid and Ståle Einarsen

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relative impact of workplace bullying and risk perception on the mental health among employees in safety critical organisations…

1767

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relative impact of workplace bullying and risk perception on the mental health among employees in safety critical organisations. The paper also aims to examine whether self‐esteem moderates the relationship between bullying and risk perception as stressors and mental health as an outcome variable.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a survey design, the variables were assessed in a cross‐sectional sample of 1,017 employees in the Norwegian offshore oil and gas industry.

Findings

The results show that workplace bullying is a stronger predictor of mental health problems than is risk perception. Self‐esteem had a buffering effect on the relationship between risk perception and mental health problems, whereas no protective effect of self‐esteem was found with regard to the association between bullying and mental health.

Originality/value

The findings have implications for how organisations may promote employee well‐being and health. It is suggested that organisations develop interventions that are aimed at reducing the occurrence of both.

Details

Journal of Managerial Psychology, vol. 28 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-3946

Keywords

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