The Effect of Abusive Management on Counterproductive Work Behaviours: A Study on Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

Purpose – When managers mistreat employees, yell at them, get angry at them, or make fun of them, by using their power and authority, it harms them psychologically and causes them to have negative feelings towards their work and the organization. The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of healthcare professionals’ perceptions of abusive management on counterproductive work behaviours. In addition, in this study, the Turkish validity and reliability of the Counterproductive Work Behaviors (CWB) Scale developed by Yang and Diefendorff (2009) were tested. Design/Methodology/Approach – In this research, the causal scanning method from quantitative research was used. Research data was obtained through a survey from 441 healthcare professionals using the convenience sampling method. Descriptive statistics, unrelated t-test, explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses, and path analysis were used to analyse the data. Findings – It has been determined that the Counterproductive Work Behaviour (CWB) Scale developed by Yang and Diefendorff (2009) is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used to examine the counterproductive work behaviours of employees in different methods and applications in Turkey. In addition, within the scope of this research, it was concluded that abusive management has a statistically significant and positive effect on employees’ counterproductive work behaviours. Discussion – It is thought that giving importance to studies on organizational climate and organizational culture in the health sector and informing health managers about negative leader behaviours will be an important starting point in reducing employees’ negative behaviours towards their jobs.