An exploration of constructive retaliation: positivity in the face of workplace injustice

Purpose The goal of this research is to examine why and how disgruntled targets of workplace injustice might eschew the traditional, destructive forms of revenge and opt for positive, useful and productive work outcomes in retaliation to perceived injustice. Design/methodology/approach In this qualitative inquiry, a grounded theory approach along with a machine learning topic modeling analysis was employed to outline a novel phenomenon in which the targets of source-specific, hierarchical workplace injustice respond in ways that are constructive (instead of destructive) to themselves, others or the organization. Findings Grounded theory analysis of our dataset generated concepts outlining the individual, professional, interpersonal and contextual components organized into internal and external dynamics to illustrate why and how targets of workplace injustice choose constructive (over destructive) responses; an aggregate dimension we call constructive retaliation. Two follow-up machine learning analyses were conducted to (1) objectively compare our initial findings for confirmability; and (2) differentiate high-positivity responses from those of low positivity to identify when individuals engage in constructive retaliation. The analyses suggested the respondents’ capacity to “rise above injustice” with more constructive outcomes based on the level of positivity experienced. Originality/value Our research considers why and how recipients of workplace injustice may elect to engage in constructive instead of destructive revenge. Given that the existing research has conceptualized revenge as an almost exclusively negative phenomenon, the idea that behavioral and cognitive retribution could fall within a positive spectrum is novel. Our paper suggests that the forces behind destructive revenge may be channeled by some targets to generate constructive behavior while also generating a sense of retribution. We believe this is a fruitful area for future theorizing and empirical work and we hope this paper will encourage such exploration.