Explaining active and passive types of counterproductive work behavior: the moderation effect of bullying, the dark triad and job control

Abstract

Objectives Drawing on the stressor-emotion model, the study aimed to identify some predictors of the active and passive types of counterproductive work behavior (CWB). Specifically, 1) the direct effect of bullying on CWB, 2) the 2-way interaction effects of the Dark Triad (DT) and job control (JC), as well as 3) the 3-way interaction effect (DT×JC) on the bullying-CWB link were investigated. Material and Methods Data were collected from 659 white- and blue-collar workers. The 2- and 3-way interactional effects were analyzed by means of PROCESS macros. Results The analysis showed that high bullying was directly related to high active and passive types of CWB. The 2- and 3-way interactional effects were observed but only in relation to active (not passive) CWB. Bullying was associated with active CWB when the Dark Triad and job control were high. Conclusions The study showed different ways of both types of CWB development. The findings provide further insight into processes leading to an increase in active and passive CWB. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(6):777–95

Keywords

• job stress
• job control
• dark triad
• organizational behavior
• bullying at workplace
• counterproductive work behavior