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“It’s Not Us, It’s You!”: Extending Managerial Control through Coercion and Internalisation in the Context of Workplace Bullying amongst Nurses in Ireland

Author

Listed:
  • Juliet McMahon

    (Department of Work & Employment Studies, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland)

  • Michelle O’Sullivan

    (Department of Work & Employment Studies, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland)

  • Sarah MacCurtain

    (Department of Work & Employment Studies, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland)

  • Caroline Murphy

    (Department of Work & Employment Studies, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland)

  • Lorraine Ryan

    (Department of Work & Employment Studies, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland)

Abstract
This article investigates why workers submit to managerial bullying and, in doing so, we extend the growing research on managerial control and workplace bullying. We employ a labour process lens to explore the rationality of management both engaging in and perpetuating bullying. Labour process theory posits that employee submission to workplace bullying can be a valuable method of managerial control and this article examines this assertion. Based on the qualitative feedback in a large-scale survey of nurses in Ireland, we find that management reframed bullying complaints as deficiencies in the competency and citizenship of employees. Such reframing took place at various critical junctures such as when employees resisted extremely pressurized environments and when they resisted bullying behaviours. We find that such reframing succeeds in suppressing resistance and elicits compliance in achieving organisational objectives. We demonstrate how a pervasive bullying culture oriented towards expanding management control weakens an ethical climate conducive to collegiality and the exercise of voice, and strengthens a more instrumental climate. Whilst such a climate can have negative outcomes for individuals, it may achieve desired organisational outcomes for management.

Suggested Citation

  • Juliet McMahon & Michelle O’Sullivan & Sarah MacCurtain & Caroline Murphy & Lorraine Ryan, 2021. "“It’s Not Us, It’s You!”: Extending Managerial Control through Coercion and Internalisation in the Context of Workplace Bullying amongst Nurses in Ireland," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:11:y:2021:i:2:p:55-:d:568826
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Frances J. Milliken & Elizabeth W. Morrison & Patricia F. Hewlin, 2003. "An Exploratory Study of Employee Silence: Issues that Employees Don’t Communicate Upward and Why," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(6), pages 1453-1476, September.
    2. Juliet MacMahon & Michelle O'Sullivan & Caroline Murphy & Lorraine Ryan & Sarah MacCurtain, 2018. "Speaking up or staying silent in bullying situations: the significance of management control," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(5-6), pages 473-491, November.
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