Uncovering the relationship between workaholism and workplace destructive and constructive deviance: an exploratory study

Abstract

Given the significant social and economic costs and/or benefits associated with workplace deviance, researchers have been interested in examining the antecedents of deviant behaviour. Similarly, as the incidence of workaholism has increased, there has been a need to further understand the positive and negative consequences of workaholism in an organizational context. This exploratory study examined the relationship of three workaholism components with measures of workplace destructive and constructive deviance. Data were collected from 142 male and female employees working in six companies in Brazil using anonymously completed questionnaires. The results suggest that the workaholism components were significantly related to two measures of deviance. This provides partial support for the hypothesized relationship. Future research directions and practical implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• Workplace deviance
• workaholism
• Brazil

Acknowledgements

Preparation of this manuscript was supported in part by the Department of International Business, Rollins College and the Schulich School of Business, York University. Felipe Almeida participated in translation and data collection. Lisa Fiksenbaum assisted with data analysis.