A systems psychodynamic description of organisational bullying experiences
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Abstract
Orientation: Organisational bullying experiences manifest themselves as an intense
unconscious systemic dynamic involving the bully, the victim and the organisational
culture. The relatedness between the objects is characterised by valences and mutual defence
mechanisms such as splitting, projection and projective identification.
Research purpose: The purpose of this research was to describe organisational bullying
experiences from the system psychodynamic perspective.
Motivation for the study: Individual psychology tends to simplify organisational bullying by
focussing on the bully’s symptomatic behaviour. Systems psychodynamic thinking focuses on
the behavioural dynamics in the relationship between the bully and victim, and the relatedness
of both with the organisational system.
Research design, approach and method: Qualitative and descriptive research, using six
participants as case studies, was undertaken. Data was gathered through Free Association
Narrative Interviewing and analysed using discourse analysis.
Main findings: Three themes manifested themselves, namely, snakes and hyenas, a complex
interconnected dyad, and the institutionalisation of bullying. The research hypothesis
integrating these three themes was presented.
Practical/managerial implications: In resolving organisational bullying Industrial
Organisational psychologists need to pursue this phenomenon not only in terms of its
symptoms, but in a holistic, systemic and role related manner addressing all of its parts.
Contribution/value-add: The systemic understanding of organisational bullying implies
the complexity of studying the behaviour of all parts – the bully, the victim, their dyadic
relationship as well as how bullying is institutionalised in the organisational setting, climate
and culture.
Description
Citation
Cilliers FVN. (2012) A systems psychodynamic description of organisational bullying experiences. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology 38(2)
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DOI
ISSN
0258-5200