A review of literature on mediators and moderators of workplace bullying: Agenda for future research

Abstract

Purpose

During the past 26 years, there has been a phenomenal growth in the literature on workplace bullying. The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize the extant empirical studies on underlying and intervening mechanisms in antecedents–bullying and bullying–outcomes relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 53 studies on mediators and moderators in antecedents–bullying and bullying–outcomes relationships (2001-2016) were selected from academic databases (Google Scholar, Research Gate, Emerald Insight, Science Direct, etc.)

Findings

The review suggests that while a reasonable number of studies examine the role of mediators and moderators in bullying–outcomes relationships, such efforts are meager in antecedents–bullying relationships. The paper concludes by proposing some potential variables that can explain the underlying mechanisms in the bullying phenomenon and alleviate/aggravate the antecedents–bullying–outcomes relationships.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first review on mediators and moderators of workplace bullying.

Citation

Rai, A. and Agarwal, U.A. (2018), "A review of literature on mediators and moderators of workplace bullying: Agenda for future research", Management Research Review, Vol. 41 No. 7, pp. 822-859. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-05-2016-0111