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Problem-Focused Coping Strategies, Workplace Bullying, and Sustainability of HEIs

Author

Listed:
  • Amina Muazzam

    (Department of Applied Psychology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan)

  • Ambreen Anjum

    (Department of Applied Psychology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 54500, Pakistan)

  • Anna Visvizi

    (Effat College of Business, Effat University, Jeddah 21478, Saudi Arabia
    Institute of International Studies, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Al. Niepodległości 162, 02-554 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Amid the strain related to the necessity of distance learning and related organizational adjustments in higher education institutions (HEIs), this paper re-examines the problem-focused coping strategy and its efficiency in addressing work-related strain. A case for the centrality of a problem-focused coping strategy in maintaining sustainability and resilience of HEIs is made. To this end, the spotlight is directed at workplace bullying in HEIs, which—due to its implications for absenteeism, turnover, and productivity—represents one of the most challenging issues in talent management in HEIs. What is termed here “hidden cost of workplace bullying” constitutes a direct challenge for HEIs sustainability and resilience. The discussion and the findings elaborated in this paper are based on a survey (n = 400) conducted across HEIs in Pakistan. It is argued that the findings are generalizable, which makes this paper an important addition to the literature on sustainability and resilience in HEIs.

Suggested Citation

  • Amina Muazzam & Ambreen Anjum & Anna Visvizi, 2020. "Problem-Focused Coping Strategies, Workplace Bullying, and Sustainability of HEIs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10565-:d:463809
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ambreen Anjum & Amina Muazzam & Farkhanda Manzoor & Anna Visvizi & Gary Pollock & Raheel Nawaz, 2019. "Measuring the Scale and Scope of Workplace Bullying: An Alternative Workplace Bullying Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-11, August.
    2. Ambreen Anjum & Amina Muazzam & Farkhanda Manzoor & Anna Visvizi & Raheel Nawaz, 2019. "Mediating Bullying and Strain in Higher Education Institutions: The Case of Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Mahira Ahmad & Amina Muazzam & Ambreen Anjum & Anna Visvizi & Raheel Nawaz, 2020. "Linking Work-Family Conflict (WFC) and Talent Management: Insights from a Developing Country," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-17, April.
    4. Abdulrahman Obaid AI-Youbi & Abdulmonem Al-Hayani & Hisham J. Bardesi & Mohammed Basheri & Miltiadis D. Lytras & Naif Radi Aljohani, 2020. "The King Abdulaziz University (KAU) Pandemic Framework: A Methodological Approach to Leverage Social Media for the Sustainable Management of Higher Education in Crisis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-21, May.
    5. Stefan Dercon, 2002. "Income Risk, Coping Strategies, and Safety Nets," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 17(2), pages 141-166, September.
    6. Leah P. Hollis, 2015. "Bully University? The Cost of Workplace Bullying and Employee Disengagement in American Higher Education," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(2), pages 21582440155, June.
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    1. Isabel Carmona-Cobo & Eva Garrosa & Esther Lopez-Zafra, 2021. "Workers’ Observation of Uncivil Leadership: Is Tolerance for Workplace Incivility a Gendered Issue?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, May.
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