The role of justice perceptions in determining counterproductive work behaviors

This study examined the relationship between variables that represent organizational justice and fairness and counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs). It is contended that breach of psychological contracts and affective organizational commitment mediate this relationship. Questionnaires were distributed to 270 teachers in 10 high schools located in the north of Israel; 210 usable questionnaires were returned. One of the important results of this study is the relationship of burnout to the two dimensions of CWBs (interpersonal and organizational). Job burnout was found to be positively and strongly related (based on very high coefficients) to both dimensions. While we did predict that burnout would be related to CWBs, the strength of this relationship was not expected. The findings also show no effect of organizational justice and some effect of perceptions of organizational politics. Psychological contract breach was found to be related to interpersonal but not organizational CWBs. The proposed mediation relationships are partially supported. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research on this issue and notes the practical implications of the findings.