Workplace Cyberbullying and Cross-Cultural Differences

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of cultural factors that contribute to the understanding of workplace bullying and cyberbullying including gender, race, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation. Each of these cultural factors explain the dynamics that occur among cyberbullies, cybervictims, and cyberbystanders. Additionally, because there has been a lack of theoretical incorporation in the workplace bullying and workplace cyberbullying literature, this chapter provides an overview of three intercultural communication theories including conflict face negotiation theory, intercultural workgroup communication theory, and anxiety uncertainty management theory. Recommendations and future directions are also offered to encourage the application of intercultural communication theories in explaining and predicting workplace cyberbullying behavior.