Dimensions and Antecedents of Workplace Deviant Behaviour: A Review of Literature

Considerable research in organisational behaviour is fixated on constructive behaviour and little consideration is paid towards understanding the pervasiveness of destructive behaviour in the organisation especially behaviour of employees that are against the norms of organisation termed as deviant workplace behaviour. The cost of workplace deviance has run into billions for companies all around the globe. Apart from the monetary damage to organisation, it also distresses employees psychologically and emotionally which leads to severe consequences for the organisations in the long run. Because of its huge impact on the organisation as well as the individual, the research into this subject is burgeoning. The aim of this paper is to highpoint the concept of workplace deviance through conducting the review of previous studies and understanding how the conceptualization of workplace deviance has matured over time. First, the paper discusses the relevance of research in workplace deviance and distinguishing workplace deviance from other constructs related to destructive behaviour like incivility, workplace aggression, counterproductive behaviour, organisational delinquency. Secondly, through review of studies conducted in past on this topic, this paper presents a comprehensive summary on the antecedents deviant workplace behaviour. The paper discusses various personality related factors, demographic factors and organisational factors that leads to employee performing deviant acts. Based on systematic review of literature a conceptual model of workplace deviance is drawn. The study is completely based on secondary data collected from papers published in referred journals from various websites. In the end, paper presents limitation of the study and what the future holds for researchers in the field of workplace deviance highlighting the need of carrying out empirical research in private organisations in India.