Citation

Meriläinen M, Sinkkonen HM, Puhakka H, Käyhkö K. Policy Futures Educ. 2016; 14(6): 617-634.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1478210316639417

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study focuses on the degree, nature and consequences of bullying or inappropriate behaviour among faculty personnel (n = 303) in a Finnish university. A total of 114 (38%) faculty members answered the email questionnaire. According to the results, 15% of the respondents had experienced bullying; in addition, 45% had experienced inappropriate behaviour. The person behind the bullying or inappropriate behaviour was a member of the teaching personnel (f = 26), a member of the administration staff (f = 23), a student (f = 13) or a member of the research personnel (f = 8). Bullying or inappropriate behaviour occurred during research work (f = 21), personnel meetings (f = 19), interaction situations (10), teaching (f = 7), counselling (f = 7) or during leisure time (f = 1). Factor analysis revealed three dimensions of bullying: exclusion and discrimination, person-related belittlement and professional undermining. These dimensions were consistent with the categories of the consequences of bullying or inappropriate behaviour based on open-ended answers. The consequences of bullying or inappropriate behaviour primarily have an influence at the individual level as affective disorders and as a decrease in professional self-confidence and work performance. These consequences are also temporally and communally linked to a declining working environment and further to a reduction in the profitability of the faculty.

Language: en