Title: Workplace envy and counterproductive behaviour: a mediation model of perceived injustice and social undermining

Authors: Merajsadat Malakouti; Mohammad Yarivand

Addresses: College of Public Administration, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China ' College of Public Administration, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China

Abstract: Workplace envy is a phenomenon that can have a profound impact on employee behaviour and organisational results. Based on social identity and comparison theory, this study aims to explore the impact of workplace envy on employees' counterproductive behaviour, perceived organisational injustice, and social undermining as mediating variables. The sample of 391 employees working in the telecommunication organisation in Tehran province, which is a public organisation, participated in this study by completing a self-administered questionnaire. The results generally support the hypotheses, indicating a positive relationship between variables. Furthermore, perceived injustice and social undermining were found to mediate the relationship between workplace envy and counterproductive behaviour. Furthermore, this research contributes to the existing body of research on workplace behaviour by offering new insights into the complex nature of envy and its impact on the workplace. We also delve into the practical implications of these findings and provide recommendations for future studies.

Keywords: workplace envy; social undermining behaviour; perceived injustice; counterproductive behaviour; workplace behaviour.

DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2025.144794

Middle East Journal of Management, 2025 Vol.12 No.2, pp.237 - 259

Received: 20 Sep 2023
Accepted: 17 Nov 2023
Published online: 03 Mar 2025 *

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