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Hegemony and moralistic bullying in a contested UK public sector

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Ewan MackenzieORCiD

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Abstract

How is workplace bullying morally legitimised in a contested public sector? This article makes an original contribution to workplace bullying scholarship through its focus on ‘moralistic’ bullying. The United Kingdom (UK) public sector has undergone significant changes propelled by neoliberal marketisation over four decades, purportedly to enhance competitiveness, financial accountability, and efficiency. These reforms coincide with a reported increase in public sector workplace bullying. Inspired by Gramsci’s [Gramsci, A. 1971. Selections from the Prison Notebooks, Translated by Q. Hoare, and G. N. Smith. London: Lawrence and Wishart. (Orig. pub. 1947.)] concept of hegemony, we adopt a neo-Gramscian analysis of ‘moralistic’ bullying in this context. Drawing from a study of 25 self-identifying bullied targets in UK public sector organisations, we illustrate how moralistic bullying is legitimised through organisational processes propelled by market rationalities and financial imperatives. Our contribution highlights how moralistic bullying is legitimised inconspicuously amidst hegemonic conditions of neoliberal marketisation.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Garvey A, Mackenzie E

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Culture and Organization

Year: 2024

Volume: 30

Issue: 2

Pages: 198-219

Online publication date: 17/10/2023

Acceptance date: 06/10/2023

Date deposited: 17/10/2023

ISSN (print): 1475-9551

ISSN (electronic): 1477-2760

Publisher: Taylor and Francis

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14759551.2023.2269589

DOI: 10.1080/14759551.2023.2269589

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