Academics’ perceptions of bullying at work: insights from Pakistan
International Journal of Educational Management
ISSN: 0951-354X
Article publication date: 13 March 2017
Abstract
Purpose
Despite an extensive history of research into workplace bullying and the psychosomatic harm associated with it in western contexts, research into the occurrence and manifestation of bullying behavior in the academic workplaces of non-western countries is sparse. In response to this gap, the purpose of this paper is to start a research conversation by reporting an empirical enquiry into the occurrence, forms and perceptions of workplace bullying among academics in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted with a representative sample of academics in a large Pakistani province through a cross-sectional survey.
Findings
This study reveals that workplace bullying is prevalent among academics in the Pakistani context, with up to half of them regularly exposed to practices such as excessive work monitoring, undermining of professional competence, lack of recognition of work contributions and obstruction of important work-related matters.
Research limitations/implications
The findings underscore the need for developing broader institutional actions, clear policies and grievance procedures to discourage bullying at work in Pakistan. Higher educational managers will find the results useful for development of anti-bullying policies and codes of conduct.
Originality/value
This is the first study to examine the perceptions, occurrence and demographic risk factors associated with workplace bullying among academics in the Pakistani context.
Keywords
Citation
Ahmad, S., Kalim, R. and Kaleem, A. (2017), "Academics’ perceptions of bullying at work: insights from Pakistan", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 31 No. 2, pp. 204-220. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-10-2015-0141
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited