Counterproductive Work Behaviors, Interpersonal Deviance

Counterproductive work behavior (CWB) refers to a set of behaviors that harm (or are intended to harm) an organization or its members. Common types of CWB include theft, sabotage, aggression toward others, and spreading rumors. Behaviors on the part of employees that are directed at the organization, such as theft or sabotage, are commonly referred to as organizational deviance (CWB-O). By contrast, behaviors by employees that are aimed at fellow employees, such as spreading rumors, harassment, violence, bullying, favoritism, gossip, blaming, and aggression, are referred to as interpersonal deviance (CWB-I). Researchers have used different terms to refer to such behaviors and to CWB in general, including abuse, aggression, bullying, deviance, retaliation, and revenge. On the surface, there are similarities between CWB-I and CWB-O, but empirical ...