Article 2: Workforce Cyberbullying Effects as discussed in “Cyberbullying and Psychological Stress among Female Employees”

Introduction:
This article researches the effects of cyberbullying targeted towards female employees in diverse organizations in Saudi Arabia. It specifically studies women because of statistics indicating “that female employees are more frequently subjected to cyberbullying incidents” (Al Doghan & Arshad, 2023, #166) and the lack of research into cyberbullying into that section of the workforce.

Hypothesis and Research Methods:
The study tests the hypothesis that if there is an increase in workforce cyberbullying towards female employees without a mediator, then psychological stress will rise and organizational loyalty and efficiency will decrease in female employees. The research method used for the study was surveys in the form of “pre-existing measurement questionnaires that had been previously validated” (Al Doghan & Arshad, 2023, #173) in other similar research studies.

Data and Analysis:
The study concluded that there was a “negative correlation between workplace cyberbullying and organisational commitment” (Al Doghan & Arshad, 2023, #178) and that “workplace cyberbullying exerts a substantial impact on the psychological stress experienced by female employees” (Al Doghan & Arshad, 2023, #179). The article proves the hypothesis and shows the need for further research in Saudi Arabian organizations for how employee behavior affects other employees.

Societal Contribution:
The first societal contribution this study makes is showing how the perception of a workforce and cyberspace affects employees. The employees targeted by workplace cyberbullying showed a harsher perception of the digital cyberspace and were often found to make the rationalization choice of switching jobs. The data from the study shows the hostility they face and that jobs need to make “organizational efforts to establish a secure and respectful atmosphere for female staff members” (Al Doghan & Arshad, 2023, #179).
The second contribution is how the article argues for further research into the understudied culture of Saudi Arabian organizations and companies. Employees, especially women, are often underprotected and specifically targeted for discrimination even in the more “diverse workforces” as shown by this study.

Relation to Social Sciences:
This article relates to three major social sciences. First, it discusses the psychological effects of cyberbullying in a workforce and how it affects the stress and capabilities of employees. Second, it relates to sociology by studying the interpersonal relationships of diverse workforces. Lastly, it relates to economics by discussing how the psychological stresses also cause a decline in workplace productivity, loyalty, and cooperation, negatively affecting companies in Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion:
This study on the effects of cyberbullying towards female employees in Saudi Arabia proves the negative personal psychological effects and the organizational disrupting effects workforce cyberbullying has. Additionally, this article is relevant to several class topics such as surveys as a method for research, the perception of safety in cyberspaces, how people make rational cost/benefit analysis between harm and pleasure, and the symbolic interactionist view of cyberbullying.

References
Al Doghan, M. A., & Arshad, S. (2023, June). Cyberbullying and Psychological Stress among Female Employees. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 17(1), 166-184. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://cybercrimejournal.com/menuscript/index.php/cybercrimejournal/article/view/161/61