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Workplace Bullying: A Review of the Defining Features, Measurement Methods and Prevalence across Continents

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  • Mariam Ciby
  • R.P. Raya

Abstract

Over the past 25 years, academic researchers across the globe have extensively studied the concept, definition and the prevalence of workplace bullying. Even though researchers around the globe explain bullying with multiple terminologies, certain key features define the phenomenon. The researchers have used various methods and tools to measure the prevalence of the phenomenon. Therefore, this article aims to review and present the key defining features, various measuring methods and the prevalence of workplace bullying across various continents, such as, Scandinavia, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and Africa. The findings from the review of prevalence highlights that workplace bullying is highest in Asia and lowest in Scandinavia. The review draws attention to the various key directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariam Ciby & R.P. Raya, 2015. "Workplace Bullying: A Review of the Defining Features, Measurement Methods and Prevalence across Continents," IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, , vol. 4(1), pages 38-47, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:iimkoz:v:4:y:2015:i:1:p:38-47
    DOI: 10.1177/2277975215587814
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pamela Lutgen‐Sandvik & Sarah J. Tracy & Jess K. Alberts, 2007. "Burned by Bullying in the American Workplace: Prevalence, Perception, Degree and Impact," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(6), pages 837-862, September.
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    1. Catalina Sau Man Ng & Victor C. W. Chan, 2021. "Prevalence of Workplace Bullying and Risk Groups in Chinese Employees in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-11, January.
    2. Lars Peter Sønderbo Andersen & Karin Biering & Paul Maurice Conway, 2023. "Negative Acts as Risk Factor for Work-Related Violence and Threats from Clients towards Employees: A Follow-Up Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    3. Arpana Rai & Upasna A. Agarwal, 2019. "Examining the Relationship Between Personality Traits and Exposure to Workplace Bullying," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 20(4), pages 1069-1087, August.
    4. Iqra Javed & Amna Niazi & Sadia Nawaz & Muhammad Ali & Mujahid Hussain, 2023. "Impact of workplace bullying on work engagement among early career employees," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(10), pages 1-19, October.
    5. Richa Gupta & Arti Bakhshi & Ståle Einarsen, 2017. "Investigating Workplace Bullying in India: Psychometric Properties, Validity, and Cutoff Scores of Negative Acts Questionnaire–Revised," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(2), pages 21582440177, June.
    6. Raghunandan Reddy, 2023. "Workplace Bullying: The Problem That (Still) Has No Name," Indian Journal of Gender Studies, Centre for Women's Development Studies, vol. 30(3), pages 360-373, October.

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