Bullying in the workplace: a cross-cultural and methodological perspective

Abstract

Whilst research on workplace bullying has substantially increased internationally, there appears to be a contention of whether individuals in hierarchical or individualistic societies are at higher risk of exposure to such behavior. This paper reports an investigation of relative exposure to workplace bullying between the two societies through a survey of Australians and Pakistanis. In so doing, this paper advances the cross-cultural workplace bullying literature in two main ways. First, by examining the methodological issue of equivalence, this paper shows that despite workplace bullying’s constant meaning across cultures, there are stark differences in employee exposure and tolerance toward it between the assessed cultures. Second, it provides evidence of relative risks of workplace bullying in cross-cultural contexts by revealing a higher risk of exposure to such behavior in a hierarchical rather than an individualistic society. The paper concludes with a detailed discussion of the theoretical and international management practice implications of the research findings.

Keywords:

• Cross-cultural management
• individualism
• power distance
• workplace bullying

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Saima Ahmad

Saima Ahmad, PhD, is a Lecturer of Business and Management at the Graduate School of Business and Law, RMIT University. She is a member Academy of International Business, Academy of Management and RMIT’s Centre for Business and Human Rights. Her research focuses on framing and developing models to promote positivity in the workplace by fostering healthy, bullying-free and sustainable environments.

Amrik Sohal

Amrik Sohal is a Professor in the Department of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics at Monash University. He has impressive research experience both in Australia and overseas. Professor Sohal has authored or co-authored over 100 papers published in refereed journals, as well as three books and a number of chapters contributed to books.

Julie Wolfram Cox

Julie Wolfram Cox is Professor of Management at Monash University and her research interests include organization theory and metatheory; organisational change and development; and leadership and leadership development. Julie is currently working on an Australia Research Council Linkage Project grant on professional identity, education and wellbeing in architectural work.