THE CONSEQUENCES OF CYBERBULLYING IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ON EMPLOYEES’ PRODUCTIVITY IN MALAYSIA: MEDIATING ROLE OF JOB STRESS AND MODERATING ROLE OF CO-WORKERS SUPPORT

Abstract

The ultimate purpose of this moderated mediation study is to get an in-depth cognition of how stress as a mediator influences the relationship between cyberbullying and employees’ productivity in the manufacturing sector in Malaysia. Additionally, this research scrutinised the moderating effect of co-workers’ support in the manufacturing sector between stress and employees’ productivity. The results of this study ascertained that cyberbullying creates tremendous stress, affecting the employees’ productivity. This research confirms that when stress starts manifesting in employees, it significantly affects the relationship between cyberbullying and the productivity of employees. It was also evident that without stress as the mediating variable, the significant association between cyberbullying and the employees’ productivity would not transpire. Subsequently, the moderating factor co-workers’ support illustrated those fellow employees who render their support could significantly buffer the stress experienced at the workplace and heighten the productivity of their colleagues. Overall, this research has offered precious current knowledge on the significant impact of cyberbullying on employees’ productivity and why management and employees should curtail this heinous act. This research has also revealed the crucial roles co-workers play in shielding their fellow workers from the stress that could hamper their productivity. The manufacturing sector is the backbone of the Malaysian economy; as such, this research could significantly furnish managers with the knowledge of why improving the mutual support among co-workers is vital as it could protect them from the monstrous cyberbullying activities of cybercrooks, increase productivity and eventually create an innocuous work environment. Article visualizations: