The Mediating Role of the Crab Barrel Syndrome in the Effect of Workplace Incivility on Organizational Cynicism

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 18 Sayı: 2, 533 - 554, 31.08.2025

Mustafa Altıntaş

https://doi.org/10.17218/hititsbd.1626505

Öz

The modern work environment represents a highly intense setting characterized by numerous rules, individuals, and tasks. In this modern work process, individuals are constantly interacting with one another, making it commonplace for them to experience both positive and negative emotions. Additionally, incidents occurring in the workplace may have various consequences for organizations. Negative events in organizations affect employees and, indirectly, the organization itself. Although we live in the age of technology, the significance of human presence, particularly in labor-intensive organizations, cannot be overlooked. This study investigates certain negative events in organizations based on employees’ perceptions. The research problem is shaped around negative events in organizations, their antecedents and consequences, and their impacts on organizations and employees. Specifically, the study examines whether incivility in the workplace influences employees' negative behaviors and whether the crab barrel plays a mediating role in this relationship. The aim of this study is to determine the mediating role of the crab barrel in the effect of workplace incivility on organizational cynicism. To this end, a quantitative research design was adopted, and a survey was conducted. The study population consists of administrative personnel working at Yozgat Bozok University. Convenience sampling was employed as the sampling method, and data were collected via an online survey from 438 participants. The collected data were analyzed using the Smart-PLS (PLS-SEM) statistical program, where the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was utilized. According to the findings of the study, the crab barrel mediates the effect of workplace incivility on organizational cynicism. Workplace incivility has a positive and significant effect on both organizational cynicism and the crab barrel. The results reveal that workplace incivility leads to an increase in organizational cynicism, and this effect is mediated by the crab barrel. As in every sector, the prevalence of this issue in public organizations can be considered an indicator of the presence of negative organizational behavior. Based on the study's findings, fostering an organizational culture grounded in justice is essential for reducing negative behaviors in organizations, and efforts should be made to ensure this in every aspect.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Workplace Incivility , Organizational Cynicism , Crab Barrel Syndrome , Public Employees , Smart-PLS

İşyeri Nezaketsizliğinin Örgütsel Sinizm Üzerindeki Etkisinde Yengeç Sepeti Sendromunun Aracılık Rolü

Öz

Modern iş yaşamı kuralların, insanların ve görevlerin fazlaca olduğu yoğun bir ortamı ifade etmektedir. Bu modern iş yaşamı sürecinde bireyler birbirleriyle sürekli etkileşim halinde olup olumlu ve olumsuz duygular hissetmesi olağan bir durumdur. Bunun yanı sıra iş yaşamında yaşanan olayların örgütlere karşı bazı sonuçlarının olması da mümkündür. Örgütlerde yaşanan negatif olaylar, çalışanları ve dolaylı yönden örgütü etkilemektedir. Her ne kadar teknoloji çağında yaşıyor olsak da özellikle emek yoğun örgütlerde insanın varlığın göz ardı edilemeyecek kadar önemlidir. Bu araştırmada örgütlerde meydana gelen bazı negatif olaylar, çalışanların düşüncelerine göre araştırılmıştır. Araştırmanın problemini örgütlerde meydana gelen negatif olaylar, bunların öncülleri ve ardılları, örgüte ve çalışanlara etkileri çerçevesinde şekillenmektedir. Dolayısıyla örgütlerde var olan nezaketsizliklerin çalışanların negatif davranışlarını etki edip etmediği ve buna aracılık eden yengeç zihniyetinin var olup olmadığıdır. Bu araştırmanın amacı işyeri nezaketsizliğinin örgütsel sinizm üzerindeki etkisinde yengeç sepeti sendromunun aracılık rolünün belirlenmesidir. Bu amaçla çalışmada nicel araştırma deseni benimsenmiş ve anket uygulaması yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın evrenini Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesinde görev yapan idari personel oluşturmaktadır. Veri toplama tekniğinde örnekleme olarak kolayda örnekleme yöntemi belirlenen araştırmada 438 kişiden anket toplanmış olup bu anketler çevrimiçi bir şekilde elde edilmiştir. Elde edile verilerin analizi Smart-PLS (PLS-SEM) istatistik programında analiz edilmiş olup kısmi en küçük kareler yapısal eşitlik modeli kurulmuştur. Araştırma verilerinden elde edilen bulgulara göre işyeri nezaketsizliğinin örgütsel sinizm üzerindeki etkisinde yengeç sepeti sendromunun aracılık rolünün olduğu tespit edilmiştir. İşyeri nezaketsizliği hem örgütsel sinizm hem de yengeç sepeti sendromu üzerinde pozitif ve anlamlı bir etkiye sahiptir. Araştırmadan elde edilen sonuçlara göre işyeri nezaketsizliği örgütsel sinizmin artmasına yol açmakta ve bu etkiye yengeç sepeti sendromu aracılık etmektedir. Her sektörde olabileceği gibi kamu örgütlerinde de bu durumun yaygın olarak yer alması, negatif örgütsel davranışın var olduğunun göstergesi olarak kabul edilebilir. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre örgütlerde var olan negatif davranışların azaltılması açısından örgüt kültürünün adalet temelinde oluşturulması, her yönden bunun sağlanması gerekmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

İşyeri Nezaketsizliği , Örgütsel Sinizm , Yengeç Sepeti Sendromu , Kamu Çalışanları , Smart-PLS

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışma için etik onay, 16.02.2022 tarihli ve 30/02 sayılı karar ile Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi Sosyal ve Beşeri Bilimler Etik Kurulu’ndan alınmıştır.

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