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Witnessing wrongdoing: the effects of observer power on incivility intervention in the workplace

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  • Hershcovis, M.S
  • Neville, L
  • Reich, Tara C.
  • Christie, A
  • Cortina, L.M
  • Shan, V

Abstract

Research often paints a dark portrait of power. Previous work underscores the links between power and self-interested, antisocial behavior. In this paper, we identify a potential bright side to power—namely, that the powerful are more likely to intervene when they witness workplace incivility. In experimental (Studies 1 and 3) and field (Study 2) settings, we find evidence suggesting that power can shape how, why, and when the powerful respond to observed incivility against others. We begin by drawing on research linking power and action orientation. In Study 1, we demonstrate that the powerful respond with agency to witnessed incivility. They are more likely to directly confront perpetrators, and less likely to avoid the perpetrator and offer social support to targets. We explain the motivation that leads the powerful to act by integrating theory on responsibility construals of power and hierarchy maintenance. Study 2 shows that felt responsibility mediates the effect of power on increased confrontation and decreased avoidance. Study 3 demonstrates that incivility leads the powerful to perceive a status challenge, which then triggers feelings of responsibility. In Studies 2 and 3, we also reveal an interesting nuance to the effect of power on supporting the target. While the powerful support targets less as a direct effect, we reveal countervailing indirect effects: To the extent that incivility is seen as a status challenge and triggers felt responsibility, power indirectly increases support toward the target. Together, these results enrich the literature on third-party intervention and incivility, showing how power may free bystanders to intervene in response to observed incivility.

Suggested Citation

  • Hershcovis, M.S & Neville, L & Reich, Tara C. & Christie, A & Cortina, L.M & Shan, V, 2017. "Witnessing wrongdoing: the effects of observer power on incivility intervention in the workplace," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 83591, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
  • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:83591
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    Cited by:

    1. Isabel Carmona-Cobo & Eva Garrosa & Esther Lopez-Zafra, 2021. "Workers’ Observation of Uncivil Leadership: Is Tolerance for Workplace Incivility a Gendered Issue?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Shalini Sarin Jain & Joon Sung Lee, 2022. "Allegations of Sexual Misconduct: A View from the Observation Deck of Power Distance Belief," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 175(2), pages 391-410, January.
    3. Ju Guo & Yanjun Qiu & Yongtao Gan, 2022. "Workplace incivility and work engagement: The mediating role of job insecurity and the moderating role of self‐perceived employability," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(1), pages 192-205, January.
    4. Xing Zhou & Lele Fan & Cong Cheng & Yancheng Fan, 2021. "When and Why Do Good People Not Do Good Deeds? Third-Party Observers’ Unfavorable Reactions to Negative Workplace Gossip," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 171(3), pages 599-617, July.
    5. Ni, Dan & Yang, Mengxi & Luo, Senhan & Chen, Wansi, 2024. "A third-party perspective for examining employee reactions to witnessing coworker incivility towards customers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    6. Kelly Z. Peng & Zhijun Chen & Iris D. Zhang & Jinsong Li, 2021. "Unwilling to leave the good Samaritans: How peer interpersonal-oriented citizenship behaviors retains “me”," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 38(2), pages 669-685, June.
    7. Declan Fahie & Gerry Dunne, 2021. "Standing by or Standing Up? —How Philosophy Can (In)form Our Understanding of Bystander Behaviours in Workplace Bullying Dynamics," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-10, March.
    8. Williams, Melissa J. & Lopiano, Gabrielle & Heller, Daniel, 2022. "When the boss steps up: Workplace power, task responsibility, and engagement with unpleasant tasks," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    workplace incivility; observers; power; status threat; witnesses;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General

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