(The Influence of Workplace Exclusion on Workplace Deviance Behaviors: The Role of Employees’ Regulatory Focus)

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exclusion of employees on their deviant behaviors and mediating effect of regulatory focus on this effect. Design/methodology/approach- The study was carried out on a total of 273 healthcare workers in Kayseri province of Turkey. The research data were collected by survey method and on a voluntary basis. Statistics package program was used to evaluate the research data. While evaluating the data, the averages of the research variables were calculated first, and then the correlation analysis to reveal the relationships between the variables and the regression analysis to evaluate the mediation effect. In the study, two sub-dimensions are discussed as regulatory focus, prevention and reward. Exclusion, on the other hand, was examined in two sub-dimensions as exclusion by friends and exclusion by managers. Findings – According to the results of the research, it was determined that exclusion increased deviant behaviors, preventive focus had a positive effect on deviant behaviors, and reward focus had a negative effect on deviant behaviors. In the study, it was also determined that there is a negative relationship between reward focus and prevention focus. . In addition, it was determined that both prevention and reward focus had a significant mediating role in the positive effect of exclusion on deviant behaviors. Discussion – In the study, attention was drawn to the negative consequences of exclusion in organizations. If necessary measures are taken to prevent exclusion in organizations, it can be ensured that the negative consequences that may arise are prevented. Since there is no study in the literature that deals with exclusion, deviant behavior and regulatory focus together, it is expected that the results obtained will contribute to the literature.