Researchers in Ghana identify specific factors that “provide the seedbed for institutionalized bullying” in universities

Abstract

Purpose The authors decided to study the causes of coercive management behavior (CMB) in universities because this area has been neglected in the past. There has been a lot of research into CMB in profit-oriented organizations, but it has been assumed that universities were unaffected. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted at 10 universities, five from the private sector and five from the state sector out of the 100 accredited Ghanaian universities. The authors sent out 405 questionnaires and 371 were returned. Findings The results showed a strong relationship between specific causes and different dimensions of CMB. The authors said their analysis identified specific factors that “provide the seedbed for institutionalized bullying”. Originality/value The authors said the research provides the basis for designing policies for employees at any organization. A one-size-fits-all approach was not always appropriate, however, and their identification of the role of individual factors could help universities find their own solutions.