NCJ Number
186989
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: January-February 2001 Pages: 91-102
Editor(s)
Vincent B. Van Hasselt,
Michel Hersen
Date Published
2001
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Statistics show that incidents of violence in the workplace are on the rise, and this article examines the effects of organizational structure on aggression and violence in the workplace.
Abstract
In the case of organizational aggression and violence, organizational factors interact with other behavioral determinants. A review of the literature suggests structural characteristics can lead to violent behavior when there is an incongruence between the individual and the organization involving needs, expectations, and the environment. Two types of organizational structure are identified. The first is formal structure which consists of aspects of the organization, such as the reward system, bureaucratic hierarchy, and prescribed rules. The second is informal structure which is based on various social structures and informal interactions within the organization. The functions of structure are to govern movements, clarify roles, clarify expectations and goals, and provide an arena for actions, and it is in these areas that conflict between individual and organizational goals, expectations, and needs arises and the result may be escalating frustration, conflict, and aggression. Primary characteristics of organizational structure are complexity, formalization, and centralization. In the context of organizational structure, individuals progress along a frustration-violence continuum until intervening action is taken by the individual or the organization to overcome obstacles to goals or expectations. The author concludes the ultimate goal of the individual and the organization should be to reduce perceived sources of negative feelings in order to find a fit between individual and organizational goals, needs, and expectations. 32 references and 1 figure