Negotiating Faces in Coping with Workplace Bullying: A Cross-Cultural Investigation

ABSTRACT

Workplace bullying is often a traumatic communication experience. Using face-negotiation theory, this study compared strategic coping behaviors of employees from individualistic and collectivistic cultures. Findings from surveys of U.S. Americans and Singaporeans (N = 648) revealed that face concerns predict use of coping strategies modestly. In both cultures, self-face positively relates to neglect and acquiescence, and other-face negatively associates with retribution. Further, culture does not moderate relationships between face concerns and enactment of strategic coping behaviors, suggesting that people in both cultures cope with bullying in a similar manner.

KEYWORDS:

• Workplace bullying
• coping strategies
• face-negotiation theory
• face concern
• individualism-collectivism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific support from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not- for-profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

Jaesub Lee

Jaesub Lee is Professor at the Valenti School of Communication, University of Houston, Texas. His research interests include managerial relationships, leadership communication, and risk and crisis communication.

Jingpei J. C. Lim

Jingpei J. C. Lim is currently a communication specialist working for an international firm in Houston, Texas.

Robert L. Heath

Robert L. Heath is Professor-Emeritus at the University of Houston, Texas. His research interests include risk, crisis, safety, and strategic management communication.