Workplace Deviant Behaviours: A Critical Review of the Empirical Literature

Abstract

Extant empirical research suggests that Workplace Deviant Behaviour (WDB) represents harmful acts that threaten organizations and/or their members. Specifically, research suggests that WDB is associated with a large variety of negative consequences, including decreased organisational commitment, lower levels of self-confidence, higher levels of employee absenteeism, and increased drug use/abuse at work, among others. This chapter critically provides an overview of previous research on the antecedents and consequences of WDB. In particular, the chapter explores WDB constructs and then reviews empirical findings about the typologies, antecedents and consequences of such Behaviour. Before the conclusion, the chapter also identifies several exciting areas for further research. Keywords: deviant behaviour, interpersonal deviance, organisational deviance, workplace deviance