Bystander behavior in workplace bullying: a vignette study exploring how organizational space and situational strength influence intentions to intervene

Purpose The study explores how organizational space and situational strength influence bystanders’ intentions to intervene in workplace bullying within the healthcare sector. Design/methodology/approach The research employs vignette-based interviews with 24 healthcare professionals from various medical fields in Sweden. The vignettes depict different bullying scenarios occurring in various spatial contexts, analyzed through the lens of situational strength theory. Findings The study identifies three main categories of bystander behavior: active constructive, passive constructive and passive destructive. Most participants described constructive behaviors, with no active destructive behaviors reported. The analysis reveals that situational strength does not consistently predict bystander behavior, suggesting that personal factors and the specific context of each vignette play significant roles. Research limitations/implications The small sample size ( N = 24) limits the generalizability of the findings. Social desirability bias may have influenced participants to report more constructive behaviors. Future research should explore conditions under which bystanders might engage in active destructive behaviors and the long-term effects of bystander interventions. Practical implications Organizations should develop clear policies and procedures on acceptable behavior and bullying, enforce these consistently and provide support systems to encourage bystander intervention. Understanding the influence of different workplace spaces on bullying and bystander behavior can help in designing effective anti-bullying strategies. Originality/value This study provides a nuanced understanding of how spatial aspects and situational strength influence bystander behavior in workplace bullying, particularly in the healthcare sector. It highlights the complexity of bystander intervention and the need for comprehensive organizational strategies to address workplace bullying.