Advancing Workplace Civility: a systematic review and meta-analysis of definitions, measurements, and associated factors

This research article focuses on the significance of Workplace Civility, defined as the respectful and courteous behavior exhibited by individuals toward their colleagues in the workplace. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis that synthesizes exis...

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Main Author: Xue Peng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1277188/full
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author Xue Peng
author_facet Xue Peng
author_sort Xue Peng
collection DOAJ
description This research article focuses on the significance of Workplace Civility, defined as the respectful and courteous behavior exhibited by individuals toward their colleagues in the workplace. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis that synthesizes existing research by: (1) identifying operational definitions of the construct, (2) underlying the strongest correlations with other variables, (3) summarizing the effective strategies for promoting Workplace Civility, and (4) highlighting gaps in the literature, using the theory-characteristics-context-methodology (TCCM) framework. Multiple databases were meticulously searched, yielding 691 results, and ultimately 51 documents were included in the systematic review final sample following the application of predefined exclusion criteria. Then, a meta-analysis has been conducted including those studies with sufficient statistical data (k = 24) which allowed us to calculate 45 Effect Sizes. The review findings expose a notable dearth of research on Workplace Civility when compared to studies on incivility. This dearth highlights the pressing need for additional research endeavors to precisely define Workplace Civility, establish a robust theoretical framework, and develop reliable scales for its measurement. Related to the desirable correlates, organizational commitment, job satisfaction and mental health showed a high ES value, and for undesirable correlates, intention to quit showed a high ES value, while Emotional exhaustion only reached a medium ES value and physical symptoms showed a low ES value. Importantly, this study emphasizes that fostering civility in the workplace can yield significant benefits such as improved physical and mental well-being for workers, reduced burnout, and absenteeism rates. Thus, the promotion of civility in the workplace not only leads to healthier organizations but also enhances cost-efficiency, effectively averting the loss of both human and economic capital.
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spelling doaj.art-7cf99a8795be434cb1eec8581c4680a02023-11-13T04:34:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-11-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.12771881277188Advancing Workplace Civility: a systematic review and meta-analysis of definitions, measurements, and associated factorsXue PengThis research article focuses on the significance of Workplace Civility, defined as the respectful and courteous behavior exhibited by individuals toward their colleagues in the workplace. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis that synthesizes existing research by: (1) identifying operational definitions of the construct, (2) underlying the strongest correlations with other variables, (3) summarizing the effective strategies for promoting Workplace Civility, and (4) highlighting gaps in the literature, using the theory-characteristics-context-methodology (TCCM) framework. Multiple databases were meticulously searched, yielding 691 results, and ultimately 51 documents were included in the systematic review final sample following the application of predefined exclusion criteria. Then, a meta-analysis has been conducted including those studies with sufficient statistical data (k = 24) which allowed us to calculate 45 Effect Sizes. The review findings expose a notable dearth of research on Workplace Civility when compared to studies on incivility. This dearth highlights the pressing need for additional research endeavors to precisely define Workplace Civility, establish a robust theoretical framework, and develop reliable scales for its measurement. Related to the desirable correlates, organizational commitment, job satisfaction and mental health showed a high ES value, and for undesirable correlates, intention to quit showed a high ES value, while Emotional exhaustion only reached a medium ES value and physical symptoms showed a low ES value. Importantly, this study emphasizes that fostering civility in the workplace can yield significant benefits such as improved physical and mental well-being for workers, reduced burnout, and absenteeism rates. Thus, the promotion of civility in the workplace not only leads to healthier organizations but also enhances cost-efficiency, effectively averting the loss of both human and economic capital.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1277188/fullcivilityWorkplace Civilitysystematic reviewmeta-analysisrelationalincivility
spellingShingle Xue Peng
Advancing Workplace Civility: a systematic review and meta-analysis of definitions, measurements, and associated factors
Frontiers in Psychology
civility
Workplace Civility
systematic review
meta-analysis
relational
incivility
title Advancing Workplace Civility: a systematic review and meta-analysis of definitions, measurements, and associated factors
title_full Advancing Workplace Civility: a systematic review and meta-analysis of definitions, measurements, and associated factors
title_fullStr Advancing Workplace Civility: a systematic review and meta-analysis of definitions, measurements, and associated factors
title_full_unstemmed Advancing Workplace Civility: a systematic review and meta-analysis of definitions, measurements, and associated factors
title_short Advancing Workplace Civility: a systematic review and meta-analysis of definitions, measurements, and associated factors
title_sort advancing workplace civility a systematic review and meta analysis of definitions measurements and associated factors
topic civility
Workplace Civility
systematic review
meta-analysis
relational
incivility
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1277188/full
work_keys_str_mv AT xuepeng advancingworkplacecivilityasystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofdefinitionsmeasurementsandassociatedfactors