Author: Griffith, Amy R. Gammon; Patrick D. Converse; Lindsey M. Lee; Richard L.

Source: International Journal of Management and Decision Making, Volume 11, Numbers 5-6, October 2011 , pp. 358-378(21)

Publisher: Inderscience Publishers

Abstract:

Cyber harassment is a costly concern for organisations but little is known about the motivations behind individuals who engage in this behaviour. This article proposes a personality process model of cyber harassment in an attempt to add to the theoretical foundation in this area and stimulate additional research on this issue. Drawing from the general aggression model (Anderson and Bushman, 2002), the Dark Triad personality traits (Paulhus and Williams, 2002), and the cognitive-affective personality system theory (Mischel and Shoda, 1995), this model proposes that both situational triggering events and individual characteristics come together to produce cyber harassment. Specifically, the model proposes that Dark Triad characteristics (particularly narcissism and psychopathy) combined with particular triggering events (specifically ego threats and physical threats) lead to patterns of cognitive and affective processing that ultimately result in corporate cyber harassment behaviours. After detailing these proposed pathways associated with harassment, theoretical contributions as well as research and practical implications of the model are discussed.

Keywords: MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS; Policy and Organisational Management

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJMDM.2011.043409

Affiliations: 1: School of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901, USA.

Publication date: 2011-10-01

More about this publication?

• The general themes of the International Journal of Management and Decision Making seek to develop our understanding of organisational decision making and the technology used to support the decision process. A particular purpose is to consider management processes in international and cross-cultural contexts and to secure international inputs and comparisons. The International Journal of Management and Decision Making aims to provide a new venue for high quality papers focusing on the analytical and empirical study of management processes in private and public sector organisations - including
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