Abstract:

Independent observers of workplace bullying can add valuable insight regarding perceptive, interpretive, and motivational processes that guide by-standers response and contribution to power imbalance development, an essential feature that distinguishes bullying from related organisational misbehaviour. Here, a multi-level framework is developed and tested using mixed methods, to account for interpersonal and group level manifestations of power that shape the bullying target and perpetrator roles, via three power mechanisms: inclusion/ exclusion, reward/punishment, and resource boost/resource depletion.

Assessment materials in the form of audio recorded vignettes were used to determine whether bystanders’ psychological power states translate into meaningful differences in how they assign the protagonists’ insider/ outsider status, openly offer support, or propose sanctions impacting either party. Experimental survey data was complemented by open responses and focus-group narratives to explore the framework’s practical relevance for enabling fairer delineation of individual and group responsibility in the continuity, escalation, or disruption of workplace bullying.

Please choose your submission type: Developmental Paper

Primary Track: Research Methodology

Keywords: Epistemological issues and theoretical conceptualizations  ;New advances and developments in qualitative and quantitative research methods  ;Dilemmas in business and management research 

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Dr. Daniela Lazareanu