Tracing the threads: A bibliometric exploration of workplace bullying, psychological well-being, and employee performance

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis that offers a quantitative and integrative examination of the research on workplace bullying, psychological well-being, and employee performance. Understanding the relationships among workplace bullying, psychological well-being, and job performance is critical for organizations to create a positive and healthy work environment. A review of the literature using bibliometric methods was performed on papers within the WoS database to analyze the research landscape regarding workplace bullying, psychological well-being, and job performance. Diverse analytical techniques were utilized, including citation analysis, cocitation analysis, coauthorship analysis, co-occurrence analysis, and bibliographic coupling, and the findings are presented. An analysis of citations, cooccurrences, and keyword cooccurrences in the field identified highly cited publications and key themes: positive psychology and well-being, mental health therapy and intervention, and gender differences in work. These insights can guide researchers in recognizing influential works, understanding collaboration patterns, and exploring emerging research areas. Ultimately, the direction and impact of future studies in the field should be enhanced. This study has practical implications for organizations by synthesizing existing knowledge and guiding the development of interventions and policies to address workplace bullying, enhance psychological well-being, and improve performance. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive bibliometric analysis, which offers a quantitative and integrative examination of the research on workplace bullying, psychological well-being, and job performance. By mapping the intellectual structure, identifying trends, and uncovering research gaps, this study provides a unique perspective on the interrelatedness of these constructs.