How Work Conditions Impact Virtual Negative Work Behaviors

What is it about?

Negative work behavior (NWB) occurs with concerning frequency in virtual work environments. In this article, we review the multidisciplinary research literature on virtual negative behaviors in general. Using this literature, we identify how eight conditions of the virtual workplace facilitate three psychological enablers (i.e., ambiguity, anonymity, and (un)accountability) of perpetrators’, victims’, and bystanders’ involvement in Virtual Negative Work Behavior (VNWB). We then identify limitations of existing research practices that threaten the validity and generalizability of empirical findings and undermine theoretical development and empirical investigations of face-to-face NWB and VNWB. We conclude by providing an extensive practical implications section that discusses how organizations can prevent perpetrators from engaging in VNWB, support victims of VNWB, and empower bystanders to intervene in VNWB.

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Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Negative work behavior (NWB) occurs with concerning frequency in virtual work environments. Despite their prevalence and a substantial, multidisciplinary research literature on virtual negative behaviors in general, we lack clear answers regarding if, how, and why conditions differentiating virtual (i.e., computer-mediated) from face-to-face (F2F) work impact perpetrators’, victims’, and bystanders’ involvement in NWB. These questions remain because of an assumed isomorphism (i.e., identical form) within the literature on NWB in F2F and virtual work. We identify limitations of existing research practices that threaten the validity and generalizability of empirical findings. If not addressed, these issues will continue to undermine theoretical development and empirical investigations of F2F NWB and virtual negative work behavior (VNWB). Finally, we provide extensive practical implications and point to new areas of inquiry that will meaningfully advance the understanding of NWB in the modern, increasingly virtual workplace.

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