Envy at Workplace: Examining its Sequential Effect on Cyberbullying, Organizational Politics and Job Satisfaction in University Teachers in Pakistan

Abstract

Academic jealousy and politics is a well-known concept. Similarly, envy is a common human behaviour, however, research on these concepts, particularly on envy and its types has remained limited until recently. Envy can trigger harmful behaviours, such as workplace bullying and escalate political activity, especially when the envious intends to damage the envied. This study analyses the effect of malicious envy on job satisfaction with mediation of cyber bullying and organizational politics. A survey study of 359 questionnaires filled by university teachers in Pakistan was conducted. Analysis was conducted using structural equations modelling through Smart-PLS. Construct validity and discriminant validity were established for all constructs. Mediation was analysed through process approach specified by Preacher and Hayes (2006). Findings revealed that malicious envy positively influenced cyberbullying behaviour and increased organizational politics. Results also demonstrated that malicious envy at workplace does not affect job satisfaction when observed independently, however when the mediators of cyberbullying and organizational politics are involved, the relationship between malicious envy and job satisfaction becomes positive. It means that persons having malicious envy feelings towards their colleagues felt satisfied by engaging in bullying and politicizing activities.

Keywords: Malicious envy, Cyber bullying, Organizational politics, Job satisfaction