A path from bullying at work to alienation: a multi-level view

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to define the outcomes of bullying at work. In that sense, the study tries to define the effect of bullying at work on work alienation and the roles of political behavior perception and organizational alienation in this effect. Design/methodology/approach The study collects data from lecturers from a university in Turkey by using questionnaires. Structural equation model is used to test hypotheses. Findings The findings of the study show that political behavior perception has a mediating role over the effect of bullying at work on work alienation, and also that organizational alienation has a mediating role over the effect of political behavior perception on work alienation. Practical implications The study confirms that perception of bullying at work is determinant on the level of work alienation; thus, it is important to minimize bullying perception. This study shows both researchers and organizations that further potential vital problems to arise as a result of bullying will diminish once bullying at work is decreased. Originality/value The research tries to define the consecutives of bullying within a multi-level point of view. Additionally, as per the authors’ knowledge, there are no other studies in the literature that handle the related variables altogether.