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Bullying at Work, Echo in Online: Examining Workplace Bullying through the Lens of Employee Reviews in Textile Sector

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 73 - 85
https://doi.org/10.29216/ueip.1628581

Abstract

As a common and global problem in organizations, workplace bullying has received great attention in various academic disciplines. However, there are calls for more research on workplace bullying. The current study aims to investigate employees' workplace bullying experience while working at one of the leading companies in the textile sector in Türkiye. Data for this study was collected through online employee reviews on Indeed.com. Finally, 104 online reviews by employees of textile company were subjected to thematic analysis via Maxqda software. The results showed that employees experienced (i) verbal, (ii) nonverbal, (iii) practical, and (iv) performance-related bullying. Besides, practical and verbal bullying were the most widely discussed types of bullying behaviors. Furthermore, non-stop work pressure and unfair tasks, and direct insults were the most frequently experienced subthemes of workplace bullying.

References

  • Blomberg, S., Rosander, M., & Einarsen, S. V. (2024). Role ambiguity as an antecedent to workplace bullying: Hostile work climate and supportive leadership as intermediate factors. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 40(2), 101328. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scaman.2024.101328
  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
  • Einarsen, S., Hoel, H., & Notelaers, G. (2009). Measuring exposure to bullying and harassment at work: Validity, factor structure and psychometric properties of the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised. Work & Stress, 23(1), 24-44. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370902815673
  • Einarsen, S., Hoel, H., Zapf, D., & Cooper, C. L. (2003). The concept of bullying at work. In S. Einarsen (Ed.), Bullying and emotional abuse in the workplace: International perspectives in research and practice (pp. 3–30). London: Taylor and Francis.
  • Elçi, M., & Erdilek Karabay, M. (2016). İşletmelerde yıldırmaya maruz kalma algısının çalışanların işten ayrılma niyetine ve örgütsel sessizlik davranışlarına etkisi: Hizmet sektörü üzerine bir araştırma. Yönetim Ve Ekonomi Araştırmaları Dergisi, 14(1), 125-149. http://doi.org/10.11611/JMER739
  • Galanaki, E., Papalexandris, N., Zografou, I., & Pahos, N. (2024). Nothing personal, it's the organization! Links between organizational culture, workplace bullying, and affective commitment. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1293610
  • Gupta, P., Gupta, U., & Wadhwa, S. (2020). Known and Unknown Aspects of Workplace Bullying: A Systematic Review of Recent Literature and Future Research Agenda. Human Resource Development Review, 19(3), 263–308. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484320936812
  • He, J., Wang, Y., Wang, Y., Guo, X., Li, X., Jin, H., & Xiong, L. (2024). Upward Bullying as Experienced by Chinese Nurse Managers: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Nursing Management. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/2912016
  • Higgins, P. (2024). "I don't even recognize myself anymore": An autoethnography of workplace bullying in higher education. Power and Education, 16(1), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/17577438231163041
  • Jandhyala, S., & Kumar, N. (2024). Unconscious Bullying in the Workplace: A Qualitative Exploration. Human Research in Rehabilitation, 14(1), 234–243. https://doi.org/10.21554/hrr.042421
  • Kaya, Ş. D., Tekpınar, L., & Tekin, G. (2019). İş yeri zorbalığı ve sinizm: sağlık kurumlarında çalışan güvenliği bağlamında değerlendirilmesi. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, (42), 1-22.
  • Khubchandani, J., & Price, J. H. (2015). Workplace Harassment and Morbidity Among US Adults: Results from the National Health Interview Survey. Journal of Community Health, 40(3), 555–563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-014-9971-2
  • Krishna, A., Soumyaja, D., & Joseph, J. (2024). Workplace bullying and employee silence: the role of affect-based trust and climate for conflict management. International Journal of Conflict Management, 35(5), 1034-1059. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-09-2023-0190
  • Magee, C., Gordon, R., Robinson, L., Caputi, P., & Oades, L. (2017). Workplace bullying and absenteeism: The mediating roles of poor health and work engagement. Human Resource Management Journal, 27(3), 319–334. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12156
  • Mobbing Association (2023). 2023 Mobbing Report. Access address: https://mobbing.org.tr/2023-mobbing-raporu/ Namie, G. (2024). 2024 WBI US workplace bullying survey. Access addresss: https://workplacebullying.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Flyer.pdf
  • Nielsen, M. B., Einarsen, S. V., Parveen, S., & Rosander, M. (2024). Witnessing workplace bullying-A systematic review and meta-analysis of individual health and well-being outcomes. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 75, 101908. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2023.101908
  • Oade, A. (2009). What is Workplace Bullying?: The Behaviors and Dynamics that Constitute Workplace Bullying BT - Managing Workplace Bullying: How to Identify, Respond to and Manage Bullying Behavior in the Workplace (A. Oade (Ed.); pp. 1–15). Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230249165_1
  • Oflaz, M., & Polat, E. (2023). İşyeri zorbalığı ve iş tatmininin iş stresi üzerindeki etkisi: otel işletmelerinde bir araştırma. Güncel Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi, 7(1), 258-280. https://doi.org/10.32572/guntad.1238106
  • Park, J. H., & Ono, M. (2017). Effects of workplace bullying on work engagement and health: the mediating role of job insecurity. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 28(22), 3202–3225. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2016.1155164
  • Persson, R., Hogh, A., Hansen, Å.-M., Nordander, C., Ohlsson, K., Balogh, I., Österberg, K., & Ørbæk, P. (2009). Personality trait scores among occupationally active bullied persons and witnesses to bullying. Motivation and Emotion, 33(4), 387-399. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-009-9132-6
  • Pilch, I., & Turska, E. (2015). Relationships Between Machiavellianism, Organizational Culture, and Workplace Bullying: Emotional Abuse from the Target's and the Perpetrator's Perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 128(1), 83-93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2081-3
  • Piri, S., Jalali, R., & Khatony, A. (2024). Consequences of Workplace Bullying From Nurses' Perspectives: A Qualitative Descriptive Study in Iran. Nursing Open, 11(10), e70060. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70060
  • Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Labour and Social Security (2023). 2023 Annual Report. Access address: https://www.csgb.gov.tr/Media/wsxfvze1/2023-y%C4%B1l%C4%B1-faaliyet-raporu.pdf
  • Samnani, A. K., & Singh, P. (2012). 20 Years of workplace bullying research: A review of the antecedents and consequences of bullying in the workplace. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 17(6), 581–589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2012.08.004
  • Sigaeva, N., Öztüren, A., & Kılıç, H. (2024). Unmasking the influence of employees' coping strategies on workplace bullying. Service Industries Journal, May, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2024.2349070
  • Silwal, P., D'Souza, N., Aspden, T. J., & Scahill, S. (2024). Workplace bullying in pharmacy – a study on prevalence, impacts and barriers to reporting. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 38(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-08-2022-0225
  • Srivastava, S., Chhabra, B., Madan, P., & Puri, G. (2023). From workplace bullying to workplace withdrawal: mediating role of fear-based silence and moderating role of personality. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 10(2), 248–264. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOEPP-03-2022-0051
  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research. New York: Sage publications.
  • Trépanier, S.-G., Peterson, C., Fernet, C., & Austin, S. (2024). How tyrannical leadership relates to workplace bullying and turnover intention over time: The role of coworker support. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 65(3), 469–478. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12982
  • Tuckey, M. R., Oppert, M., Neall, A. M., Li, Y., & Selby, H. (2024). Exploring the enablers, motivators, and triggers of upwards bullying. Work and Stress, 38(3), 321–347. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2024.2308826
  • Ullah, A., & Ribeiro, N. (2024). Workplace bullying and job burnout: the moderating role of employee voice. International Journal of Manpower, 45(9), 1720-1737. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-10-2023-0591
  • Van Hoye, G. ve Lievens, F. (2009). Tapping the Grapevine: A Closer Look at Word-of-Mouth as a Recruitment Source. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(2), 341–352. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0014066
  • Zheng, C., Nauman, S., & Jahangir, N. U. (2024). Workplace bullying and job outcomes: intersectional effects of gender and culture. International Journal of Manpower. Access address: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-01-2024-0008

İşyerinde Zorbalık, İnternette Yankı: Tekstil Sektörü Çalışanlarının Değerlendirmeleri Perspektifinden İşyeri Zorbalığının İncelenmesi

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 73 - 85
https://doi.org/10.29216/ueip.1628581

Abstract

İşletmelerde yaygın ve küresel bir sorun olan işyeri zorbalığı, çeşitli akademik disiplinlerde araştırmacıların ilgisini çekmiştir. Bununla birlikte, işyeri zorbalığı konusunda daha fazla araştırmaya ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Bu çalışma, Türkiye'de tekstil sektörünün önde gelen şirketlerinden birinde işyeri zorbalığına maruz kalan çalışanların deneyimlerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu çalışmanın verileri, Indeed.com'daki çevrimiçi çalışan yorumları aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Son olarak, tekstil şirketi çalışanları tarafından yapılan 104 çevrimiçi yorum, Maxqda yazılımı aracılığıyla tematik analize tabi tutulmuştur. Sonuçlar, çalışanların (i) sözlü zorbalığa, (ii) sözsüz zorbalığa, (iii) fiili zorbalığa ve (iv) performansla ilgili zorbalığa maruz kaldıklarını göstermiştir. Ayrıca, fiili zorbalık ve sözlü zorbalık en çok bahsi geçen zorbalık davranışı olmuştur. Ayrıca, sürekli çalışma baskısı ve adil olmayan görev dağılımı ile doğrudan hakaretler işyeri zorbalığı kapsamında en sık karşılaşılan alt temalardır.

References

  • Blomberg, S., Rosander, M., & Einarsen, S. V. (2024). Role ambiguity as an antecedent to workplace bullying: Hostile work climate and supportive leadership as intermediate factors. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 40(2), 101328. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scaman.2024.101328
  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
  • Einarsen, S., Hoel, H., & Notelaers, G. (2009). Measuring exposure to bullying and harassment at work: Validity, factor structure and psychometric properties of the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised. Work & Stress, 23(1), 24-44. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370902815673
  • Einarsen, S., Hoel, H., Zapf, D., & Cooper, C. L. (2003). The concept of bullying at work. In S. Einarsen (Ed.), Bullying and emotional abuse in the workplace: International perspectives in research and practice (pp. 3–30). London: Taylor and Francis.
  • Elçi, M., & Erdilek Karabay, M. (2016). İşletmelerde yıldırmaya maruz kalma algısının çalışanların işten ayrılma niyetine ve örgütsel sessizlik davranışlarına etkisi: Hizmet sektörü üzerine bir araştırma. Yönetim Ve Ekonomi Araştırmaları Dergisi, 14(1), 125-149. http://doi.org/10.11611/JMER739
  • Galanaki, E., Papalexandris, N., Zografou, I., & Pahos, N. (2024). Nothing personal, it's the organization! Links between organizational culture, workplace bullying, and affective commitment. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1293610
  • Gupta, P., Gupta, U., & Wadhwa, S. (2020). Known and Unknown Aspects of Workplace Bullying: A Systematic Review of Recent Literature and Future Research Agenda. Human Resource Development Review, 19(3), 263–308. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484320936812
  • He, J., Wang, Y., Wang, Y., Guo, X., Li, X., Jin, H., & Xiong, L. (2024). Upward Bullying as Experienced by Chinese Nurse Managers: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Nursing Management. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/2912016
  • Higgins, P. (2024). "I don't even recognize myself anymore": An autoethnography of workplace bullying in higher education. Power and Education, 16(1), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/17577438231163041
  • Jandhyala, S., & Kumar, N. (2024). Unconscious Bullying in the Workplace: A Qualitative Exploration. Human Research in Rehabilitation, 14(1), 234–243. https://doi.org/10.21554/hrr.042421
  • Kaya, Ş. D., Tekpınar, L., & Tekin, G. (2019). İş yeri zorbalığı ve sinizm: sağlık kurumlarında çalışan güvenliği bağlamında değerlendirilmesi. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, (42), 1-22.
  • Khubchandani, J., & Price, J. H. (2015). Workplace Harassment and Morbidity Among US Adults: Results from the National Health Interview Survey. Journal of Community Health, 40(3), 555–563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-014-9971-2
  • Krishna, A., Soumyaja, D., & Joseph, J. (2024). Workplace bullying and employee silence: the role of affect-based trust and climate for conflict management. International Journal of Conflict Management, 35(5), 1034-1059. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-09-2023-0190
  • Magee, C., Gordon, R., Robinson, L., Caputi, P., & Oades, L. (2017). Workplace bullying and absenteeism: The mediating roles of poor health and work engagement. Human Resource Management Journal, 27(3), 319–334. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12156
  • Mobbing Association (2023). 2023 Mobbing Report. Access address: https://mobbing.org.tr/2023-mobbing-raporu/ Namie, G. (2024). 2024 WBI US workplace bullying survey. Access addresss: https://workplacebullying.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Flyer.pdf
  • Nielsen, M. B., Einarsen, S. V., Parveen, S., & Rosander, M. (2024). Witnessing workplace bullying-A systematic review and meta-analysis of individual health and well-being outcomes. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 75, 101908. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2023.101908
  • Oade, A. (2009). What is Workplace Bullying?: The Behaviors and Dynamics that Constitute Workplace Bullying BT - Managing Workplace Bullying: How to Identify, Respond to and Manage Bullying Behavior in the Workplace (A. Oade (Ed.); pp. 1–15). Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230249165_1
  • Oflaz, M., & Polat, E. (2023). İşyeri zorbalığı ve iş tatmininin iş stresi üzerindeki etkisi: otel işletmelerinde bir araştırma. Güncel Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi, 7(1), 258-280. https://doi.org/10.32572/guntad.1238106
  • Park, J. H., & Ono, M. (2017). Effects of workplace bullying on work engagement and health: the mediating role of job insecurity. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 28(22), 3202–3225. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2016.1155164
  • Persson, R., Hogh, A., Hansen, Å.-M., Nordander, C., Ohlsson, K., Balogh, I., Österberg, K., & Ørbæk, P. (2009). Personality trait scores among occupationally active bullied persons and witnesses to bullying. Motivation and Emotion, 33(4), 387-399. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-009-9132-6
  • Pilch, I., & Turska, E. (2015). Relationships Between Machiavellianism, Organizational Culture, and Workplace Bullying: Emotional Abuse from the Target's and the Perpetrator's Perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 128(1), 83-93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2081-3
  • Piri, S., Jalali, R., & Khatony, A. (2024). Consequences of Workplace Bullying From Nurses' Perspectives: A Qualitative Descriptive Study in Iran. Nursing Open, 11(10), e70060. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70060
  • Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Labour and Social Security (2023). 2023 Annual Report. Access address: https://www.csgb.gov.tr/Media/wsxfvze1/2023-y%C4%B1l%C4%B1-faaliyet-raporu.pdf
  • Samnani, A. K., & Singh, P. (2012). 20 Years of workplace bullying research: A review of the antecedents and consequences of bullying in the workplace. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 17(6), 581–589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2012.08.004
  • Sigaeva, N., Öztüren, A., & Kılıç, H. (2024). Unmasking the influence of employees' coping strategies on workplace bullying. Service Industries Journal, May, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2024.2349070
  • Silwal, P., D'Souza, N., Aspden, T. J., & Scahill, S. (2024). Workplace bullying in pharmacy – a study on prevalence, impacts and barriers to reporting. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 38(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-08-2022-0225
  • Srivastava, S., Chhabra, B., Madan, P., & Puri, G. (2023). From workplace bullying to workplace withdrawal: mediating role of fear-based silence and moderating role of personality. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 10(2), 248–264. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOEPP-03-2022-0051
  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research. New York: Sage publications.
  • Trépanier, S.-G., Peterson, C., Fernet, C., & Austin, S. (2024). How tyrannical leadership relates to workplace bullying and turnover intention over time: The role of coworker support. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 65(3), 469–478. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12982
  • Tuckey, M. R., Oppert, M., Neall, A. M., Li, Y., & Selby, H. (2024). Exploring the enablers, motivators, and triggers of upwards bullying. Work and Stress, 38(3), 321–347. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2024.2308826
  • Ullah, A., & Ribeiro, N. (2024). Workplace bullying and job burnout: the moderating role of employee voice. International Journal of Manpower, 45(9), 1720-1737. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-10-2023-0591
  • Van Hoye, G. ve Lievens, F. (2009). Tapping the Grapevine: A Closer Look at Word-of-Mouth as a Recruitment Source. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(2), 341–352. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0014066
  • Zheng, C., Nauman, S., & Jahangir, N. U. (2024). Workplace bullying and job outcomes: intersectional effects of gender and culture. International Journal of Manpower. Access address: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-01-2024-0008
There are 33 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Business Administration
Journal Section RESEARCH ARTICLES
Authors

Berivan Tatar 0000-0002-0934-3734

Publication Date
Submission Date January 28, 2025
Acceptance Date March 22, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 9 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Tatar, B. (n.d.). Bullying at Work, Echo in Online: Examining Workplace Bullying through the Lens of Employee Reviews in Textile Sector. Uluslararası Ekonomi İşletme Ve Politika Dergisi, 9(1), 73-85. https://doi.org/10.29216/ueip.1628581

Recep Tayyip Erdogan University
Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences
Department of Economics
RIZE / TÜRKİYE