Bystander Responses to Bullying at Work: The Role of Mode, Type and Relationship to Target

Iain Coyne (), Alana-Marie Gopaul, Marilyn Campbell, Alexandra Pankász, Robyn Garland and Frances Cousans
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Iain Coyne: Loughborough University
Alana-Marie Gopaul: Ministry of Public Administration
Marilyn Campbell: Queensland University of Technology
Alexandra Pankász: Korn Ferry HayGroup
Robyn Garland: Griffith University
Frances Cousans: Senior Assessment and Development Consultant

Journal of Business Ethics, 2019, vol. 157, issue 3, No 14, 813-827

Abstract: Abstract Framed within theories of fairness and stress, the current paper examines bystanders’ intervention intention to workplace bullying across two studies based on international employee samples (N = 578). Using a vignette-based design, we examined the role of bullying mode (offline vs. online), bullying type (personal vs. work-related) and target closeness (friend vs. work colleague) on bystanders’ behavioural intentions to respond, to sympathise with the victim (defender role), to reinforce the perpetrator (prosecutor role) or to be ambivalent (commuter role). Results illustrated a pattern of the influence of mode and type on bystander intentions. Bystanders were least likely to support the victim and more likely to agree with perpetrator actions for cyberbullying and work-related acts. Tentatively, support emerged for the effect of target closeness on bystander intentions. Although effect sizes were small, when the target was a friend, bystanders tended to be more likely to act and defend the victim and less likely to reinforce the perpetrator. Implications for research and the potential for bystander education are discussed.

Keywords: Bystanders; Cyberbullying; Workplace bullying; Fairness; Empathy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-017-3692-2

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