Effect of Workplace Harassment on Organizational Cynicism with the Mediation of Perceived Incivility and the Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Obstruction

Abstract

Workplace harassment is the most disliked behavior; it is about entering others' private space. It has dangerous consequences if the organizations do not control it. Perceived Incivility is a low-intensity deviant behavior that tends to apply damaging behavior; it may cause a wide range of mistreatment. This study investigates the effect of workplace harassment on organizational Cynicism in Pakistan, with the mediation of perceived Incivility and the moderating role of perceived organizational obstruction. Based on a sample of research students from various fields and institution types, the analysis supports the hypothesis that workplace harassment is positively related to perceived Incivility and organizational Cynicism.Furthermore, perceived Incivility is positively related to organizational cynicism and may mediate the relationship between workplace harassment and organizational cynicism. However, contrary to expectations, perceived organizational obstruction appears to weaken rather than strengthen the relationship between perceived Incivility and organizational cynicism. The findings have important implications for understanding the complex interplay between workplace harassment, Incivility, organizational obstruction, and Cynicism and for developing interventions to mitigate the negative impact of harassment on employees and organizations.

Keywords

• Workplace harassment
• Organizational cynicism
• Perceived incivility
• Perceived organizational obstruction