Exploring nature of workplace bullying and psychometric properties of negative acts questionnaire-revised (NAQ-R) in Indian organizations

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arpana Rai ◽  
Upasna A Agarwal

Purpose An extensive amount of literature is available on workplace bullying in the Western context. With specific reference to the Indian context, there is limited literature on nature of workplace bullying in Indian organizations as well, as there is no valid instrument to measure the prevalence of workplace bullying in Indian organizations. This paper aims to explore the nature of workplace bullying in Indian organization and examine the psychometric properties of Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) in Indian context. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through a hardcopy version of a survey from 835 Indian managers during working hours. Findings The analysis identified three major categories and constituent sub-categories of bullying behaviors. The NAQ-R was found appropriate on psychometric criteria. Research limitations/implications Gender-blind perspective towards approaching bullying and no sector-wise differentiation in nature of bullying are the limitations of the study. Practical implications An understanding of nature of workplace bullying in Indian organizational may help managers to identify and timely intervene the bullying situations. This study can help to strengthen the potentialities of NAQ-R as a major organizational diagnosis measure for examining bullying in Indian organizations. A validation of NAQ-R would also help to stimulate the academic work on bullying in India and allow for cross-cultural comparison of studies. Originality/value This is the first study to examine psychometric properties of the NAQ-R in Indian settings.

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anitha Acharya

Purpose In this paper, the prior research on virtual teams was reviewed to assess the state of the literature. The purpose of this paper is to determine why individuals prefer working in virtual teams (also termed liquid workers and part-time workers). Previous researchers have focussed on the benefits that organizations receive if they hire liquid workers, but to date, no research has been conducted to determine the perspective of these liquid workers. The various definitions of virtual teams are discussed and an integrative definition is proposed that suggests all teams may be defined in terms of their extent of virtualness. Design/methodology approach A systematic review of the literature on virtual teams was conducted. The data were collected from 12 informants. A thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings Six main themes were identified, namely, pliability, opportunities, increased earnings, vigour, family and transportation. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted in a three-metropolitan city in India and warrants being extended to rural and international settings to gain additional insights and confirmation of the research findings. Practical implications It is suggested that organizations who recruit liquid workers will be in a position for substantial cost savings; this is because organizations usually make payment of liquid workers’ wages on an hourly basis. This will help the organizations to schedule the number of working hours depending on their needs. Originality/value The current study is novel as there is a paucity of research in identifying the factors behind working in the virtual community in India. This study presents the first research of its kind to the best knowledge of the author, and the findings will be valuable for companies who are looking for cost savings.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Abhishek ◽  
Shravan Hemchand

Purpose This paper aims to explain the applications of sensor-based communication in mobile marketing and how understanding its fast growth is important for marketers. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws from various examples used by companies in India and abroad to explain the phenomenon of sensor-based communication in mobile marketing. Findings Marketers should be aware of the different ways in which sensor-based communication can be used to build and sustain customer engagement. Practical implications The different typologies of applications of sensor-based communication, along with examples, will help the marketers to develop similar initiatives for their brands/products. Originality/value This is the first paper to illustrate, explain and exhort the usage of sensor-based communication in the Indian context.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suryia Nayak

Purpose This paper grapples with a number of intersecting predicaments to frame a necropolitical question of who is allowed to inhabit and survive the locations of research, writing and the academy? Drawing on Lorde’s thinking about “historical amnesia” as an example of the mutually constitutive relationship between content and method, the purpose of this paper is to argue that putting a hypervigilant anti-racist remembering to work tells us that there is nothing contemporary about questions of: “why isn’t my professor black? And, why is my curriculum white?”. Design/methodology/approach The intersection of diverse theoretical frameworks demonstrate a transgression of disciplinary borders. This paper includes the use of conceptual frameworks such as the impossibility of hospitality, historical amnesia, habitation and location. The design of this piece also has detailed critical deconstructive discourse analysis of extracts from a published co-written chapter. Findings An ethic of research methodology must inhabit the aporia of the mutually constitutive relationship between method and content. Location is an intervention and method rather than a place to go or position. Research limitations/implications There is a need to inhabit the tension of implicated necropower relations in research and writing practices. Practical implications Practical implications include rethinking methodology and applications of black feminist theory to ethical issues of research and writing with specific reference to co-writing. Social implications There are social implications in regards to community engagement and political activism with refugees and asylum seekers. Originality/value This paper presents an examination of tension as methodology rather than methodology to resolve tensions based on deconstruction of issue of co-writing.


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Fadda ◽  
Gabriele Giorgi ◽  
Juan Luis Benitez Muñoz ◽  
Fernando Justicia Justicia ◽  
Giuliana Solinas

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prevalence of workplace bullying in an Italian university. Design/methodology/approach – More than 200 workers have completed the Italian version of the Negative Acts Questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire. Findings – The results show a spread of low to medium negative actions in the specific setting. In addition, the effects of negative actions on health are less serious than believed by most of the studies on workplace bullying. Originality/value – In particular, a quadratic regression model appears to be more appropriate than a linear model.


Author(s):  
Vibhav Singh

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study and understand the older generation’s attitude toward use of technology for workplace communications. Design/methodology/approach – In-depth interviews were conducted with the older generation employees of an Indian Oil and Gas Public Sector Undertakings. Data gathered from the interviews were then analyzed to draw broad themes. Findings – Although the older generation is aware of the importance of technology and has adequate knowledge of its use, they are reluctant to use it. The reluctance is not on account of techno-phobia; it is more in the nature of approach-avoidance. Research limitations/implications – Organizations and human resource managers should focus on addressing the mental block of the older generation regarding the use of technology. Practical implications – Reverse mentoring and formation of cross-generational teams can be used to alter older generation’s selective mindset in relation to technology. Originality/value – This paper discusses the role of technology in intergenerational communication in the Indian context.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preeti S. Rawat ◽  
Shiji Lyndon

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of paternalistic leadership of the boss on the trust of the subordinate. Design/methodology/approach The present study adopted survey method to test the hypotheses. Paternalistic leadership style was measured by a 24-item scale developed by Cheng et al. (2004). Trust was measured by a four-item scale by Schoorman and Ballinger (2006). Data were collected from a sample of 253 respondents. Findings The results show that in India, paternalistic leadership style leads to subordinate trust. The result further found that though benevolent and moral leadership leads to trust, authoritarian leadership does not lead to formation of trust. Practical implications The study has important implications in areas like managing leader–member relations, leadership training and team efficacy. Originality/value Leadership researchers in Indian context have largely adopted etic approach which attempts to generalize Western leadership theory to Indian context. However, uncritical adaptation of techniques developed in Western context may not be effective in the Indian cultural environment. The concept of paternalistic leadership was developed in Chinese context, but as India scores high on paternalism, the present study uses the paternalistic leadership style to study its effect on subordinate’s trust on leader.


foresight ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Dhir ◽  
Swati Dhir ◽  
Payel Samanta

PurposeThis study aims to derive a sound definition of strategic thinking by horizontal analysis of past research and discussions with professionals.Design/methodology/approachThe research design includes three broad stages: item generation, scale development and assessment of scale’s psychometric properties.FindingsThe eclectic composition cuts across vocations, religions, sex and age strengthen the flexibility of application of the scale. The resulting scale shows strong psychometric properties and is expected to be useful for academics, practitioners and organizations alike.Research limitations/implicationsThe information on strategic thinking was self-reported through strategic thinking questionnaire (STQ) and is consequently at risk to be influenced by self-bias.Practical implicationsUsing the scale of strategic thinking will empower strategic thinkers to draw a more extensive scope of strategies at all levels. This will additionally bring about higher-quality procedures, increased performance and greater competitive advantage.Social implicationsThe study represents to be an imperative predecessor to strategic decision-making and may give a key to better comprehend authoritative change marvels and at last survival.Originality/valueAs the sample for our STQ has been collected from all across the country cross-sectioning different culture, gender and position of responsibility, the scale has significant robustness and implicative potential.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 46-48

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint its practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Mobile information technology devices (MITDs) mean that employees have the flexibility to work anytime, anyplace, and anywhere. This has benefits for work–life balance. However, it also means that there is a blurring of the borders between work life and non-work life. It also means that, because work is done anytime and anywhere, there are long working hours and encroachment into non-work life, which can cause negative health effects and work–life conflict. Balance is needed to ensure that in addition to good work performance and productivity, time remains for non-work activities. Practical implications This paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent, information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 324-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen De Cieri ◽  
Cathy Sheehan ◽  
Ross Donohue ◽  
Tracey Shea ◽  
Brian Cooper

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to apply the concept of power imbalance to explain workplace and demographic characteristics associated with bullying by different perpetrators in the healthcare sector. Design/methodology/approach All 69,927 members of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victoria) were invited to participate in an online survey in 2014; 4,891 responses were received (7 per cent response rate). Participants were asked about their exposure to workplace bullying (WPB) by different perpetrators. The questionnaire addressed demographic characteristics and perceptions of workplace characteristics (workplace type, leading indicators of occupational health and safety (OHS), prioritisation of OHS, supervisor support for safety and bureaucracy). Analysis involved descriptive statistics and regression analyses. Findings The study found that the exposure of nurses and health workers to bullying is relatively high (with 42 per cent of respondents experiencing WPB in the past 12 months) and there are multiple perpetrators of bullying. The research revealed several demographic predictors associated with the different types of perpetrators. Downward and horizontal bullying were the most prevalent forms. Workplace characteristics were more important predictors of bullying by different perpetrators than were demographic characteristics. Research limitations/implications There are limitations to the study due to a low response rate and the cross-sectional survey. Practical implications Practical implications of this study emphasise the importance of focussed human resource strategies to prevent bullying. Originality/value The key contribution of this research is to draw from theoretical explanations of power to inform understanding of the differences between perpetrators of bullying. The study highlights the workplace characteristics that influence bullying.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 18-21

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The number of working hours is an important issue for employees and employers, and there is often a mismatch between the actual and preferred working hours. This mismatch is more intense for employees with disabilities, who may be unable to find preferred conditions of employment and who need flexibility for daily life, travel, and medical appointments. A mismatch in working hours can lead to stress, fatigue, low morale, and low productivity. It is important for managers to manage the mismatch for all employees, especially those with disabilities, to increase satisfaction, productivity, and work-life balance. Practical Implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


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