Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Psychology

Supervisor

Finegan, Joan E.

Abstract

Incivility is a low intensity deviant behaviour of ambiguous intent that is pervasive in many organizations. Given the cost of incivility to the employee and the organization, it is important to understand how individuals perceive this behaviour. We believe that employees who have access to opportunity, information, resources and support in their organization (i.e., structural empowerment) will be more psychologically empowered, and thus better equipped to cope with workplace stressors, leading to a reduction in the perception of uncivil behaviour. We tested our hypotheses using a survey approach with an online sample of 364 working participants. Regression analyses, mediation analyses and serial mediation analyses were conducted, and revealed some support for our hypotheses. These results suggest important future avenues for understanding the subtleties of workplace incivility.

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