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Justice and Conflicts pp 199–217Cite as

Reactions to Organizational Injustice: Counter Work Behaviors and the Insider Threat

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Abstract

Justice, fairness, honor, rights, reconciliation – The more these words occur in the speeches and writings of individuals or groups, the more the justice motive should be considered important. Justice has always been a major issue among people. Especially in an organizational context, where many employees with different values, interests, and problems have to act in concert, a fair treatment is of huge importance. People who face injustice may become dissatisfied with their job, superior, or organization and hence turn into a threat for the organization by showing Counter Work Behaviors (CWBs). Being thought of as unfairly treated is a primary motivator to achieve revenge. On the contrary, supervisors who serve as exemplary role models can motivate employees to engage in prosocial manners that are labeled Organizational Citizenship Behaviors (OCBs). The motives of CWBs and OCBs are highly complex and the behavior of managers at all levels is often a significant factor in motivating those who commit actions against or in favor of their employer. Those who seek to prevent employee CWBs are, paradoxically, often responsible for them. This chapter will look at the perception of injustice at work and further motivational factors of CWBs. Likewise, different forms of and motivators for OCBs will be revealed. Finally, it is also considered how CWBs may be prevented.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, University College London, London, UK

    Adrian Furnham

  2. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt, Germany

    Evelyn M. Siegel

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  1. Adrian Furnham
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  2. Evelyn M. Siegel
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Correspondence to Adrian Furnham .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Professur Psychologie III, Katholische Universität, Ostenstrasse 25, Ingolstadt, 85072, Germany

    Elisabeth Kals

  2. Fakultät für Pädagogik, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Werner-Heisenberg-Weg 39, Neubiberg, 85577, Germany

    Jürgen Maes

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Furnham, A., Siegel, E.M. (2011). Reactions to Organizational Injustice: Counter Work Behaviors and the Insider Threat. In: Kals, E., Maes, J. (eds) Justice and Conflicts. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-19035-3_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-19035-3_12

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