Framing Thoughtful Leadership Intervention in Academic Workplace Bullying: A Collective Case Study

Workplace bullying is defined as a pattern of persistent, malicious, and insulting behaviors used by a “bully” and directed at a “target. ” Workplace bullying behaviors occur at least once a week for six months or more. Workplace bullying is characterized by behaviors where the bully attempts to intentionally harm, control, and drive the target from the workplace (Lutgen-Sandvik, 2005). Workplace bullying can be directed towards one or more people and can involve multiple perpetrators, known as mobbing. Workplace bullying is a severe and devastating problem that has serious consequences for targets, witnesses, and workplace environments (Lutgen-Sandvik, 2008). Currently, no legal recourse exists for targets or workplace bullying beyond current workplace harassment laws. This collective case study examined the perceptions, experiences, and outcomes when academic leaders attempted to address workplace bullying in a university setting. The case study utilized an ecological model for structuring the interactions of academic leaders, targets, and witnesses to bullying. Qualitative analysis provided an indepth examination of each individual case comparing and contrasting perceptions, experiences, resistance, and organizational responses. Participant interviews with executive leaders provided sources of information triangulated with secondary interviews conducted with targets and witnesses. The cross-case analysis revealed three major themes: (a) ecological, the influence of the academic environment and culture, (b) the dramaturgical, influence of lived experiences by targets and witnesses, and (c) discursive, processes to engage in effective discussion-supporting intervention. The research is significant for the study of interdisciplinary leadership and reflective practice to enable action-based change in higher education workplaces. Academic Workplace Bullying iv Dedication In memory of my Grandfather, Stanley Roosevelt Rice, and to all our ancestors who inspired us with a passion for life-long learning. Like A Rainbow Fading In the Twinkling of an Eye Gone Too Soon Academic Workplace Bullying v Acknowledgements I am grateful beyond words to many persons who shared the last three years of this journey with me. I thank my loving life partner, John, for his support, patience, encouragement, and spiritual strength. I thank my mother Shirley Ann Rice-Toliver who taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. I thank my sister Pamela Toliver who kept me moving ever forward towards the finish line. I express my sincere gratitude and deep appreciation to the members of my dissertation committee, Dr. Jeff Ehrlich, Dr. Isabelle Cherney, and Dr. Sue Schlichtemeier-Nutzman, who generously gave their time and expertise to better my work. I also acknowledge the staff at Creighton University’s Interdisciplinary Leadership Program office for their unfaltering and professional support, and the many friends, colleagues, co-workers, fellow students, teachers, librarians, and spiritual directors who assisted, advised, and supported my research and writing. Special thanks to Dr. Geoffrey S. Waldo for his assistance in editing. Finally, I thank all those who shared with me their stories of struggle, suffering, leading, following, tribulations and triumphs in overcoming, and preventing workplace bullying. Your contributions are invaluable in helping organizations learn how to create healthy, productive, and safe work places. Academic Workplace Bullying vi Table of