Abstract

Workplace incivility has become a pervasive issue in many organisational settings, including higher education, with significant consequences for individuals' well-being and institutional performance. This qualitative study explores how lecturers at private universities in Malaysia cope with workplace incivility and the role of social support systems in coping with its negative effects. Using Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) Transactional Model of Stress and Coping as the theoretical framework, the study employed a case study approach to understand the experiences of ten lecturers from diverse backgrounds and varying years of experience working in private universities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted via MS Teams, lasting 40-60 minutes, and analysed using thematic analysis. The study identifies four key coping mechanisms: seeking social support, confronting the instigators, avoiding the instigators, and detachment from work. Social support, particularly from colleagues, superiors, and family, was found to be a critical factor in managing incivility, aligning with the theory’s emphasis on the role of external resources in stress appraisal and coping. Confronting the instigators and avoiding them emerged as common strategies, though participants also employed emotional detachment techniques to recover from stress. The study highlights the need for university management to foster a respectful work environment, establish clear policies, and provide adequate support systems to address incivility. The findings contribute to the understanding of coping mechanisms in academic settings and emphasize the importance of support systems in overcoming workplace incivility in Malaysian private universities.

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Keywords

  • Workplace Incivility
  • Academic Incivility
  • Coping Mechanisms Family Support
  • Superiors Support
  • Malaysian private universities

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