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Bullying in the Indian workplace: A study of the ITES-BPO sector

Author

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  • Premilla D’Cruz

    (Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, India)

  • Charlotte Rayner

    (Portsmouth Business School, UK)

Abstract

This article reports on an empirical enquiry undertaken in India’s ITES-BPO (offshoring-outsourcing) sector to ascertain the presence of workplace bullying, the influence of sociocultural factors, the nature of bullying categories and the availability and use of extra-organizational redressal options. Survey data, gathered through structured interviews incorporating the Work Harassment Scale, conducted with 1036 respondents located in six cities, showed that 44.3% of the sample experienced bullying, with 19.7% reporting moderate and severe levels. In keeping with India’s hierarchical society, superiors emerged as the predominant source of bullying, displaying task-focused behaviours. Yet, the presence of ‘cross-level co-bullying’ where a personal focus was emphasized points to the role of identity-based affiliations intrinsic to India’s ethos. Key informant data, gathered through unstructured interviews with lawyers/legal activists, labour commissioners and trade unionists/labour activists and thematically analysed, underscored the influence of professional self-identity, career interests and a dysfunctional judicial system in targets’ choice of extra-organizational options.

Suggested Citation

  • Premilla D’Cruz & Charlotte Rayner, 2013. "Bullying in the Indian workplace: A study of the ITES-BPO sector," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 34(4), pages 597-619, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:34:y:2013:i:4:p:597-619
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X12452672
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