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.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 9-26 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Journal of Managerial Psychology |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 20 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- Social Psychology
- Applied Psychology
- Management Science and Operations Research
- Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
Keywords
- China
- Employee attitudes
- Employee behaviour
- Employees turnover
- Intention to turnover
- Witnessing workplace bullying
Disciplines
- Business