Sherzodbek Murodilla Ugli Dadaboyev

By Sherzodbek Murodilla Ugli Dadaboyev

While research on workplace bullying has expanded significantly, the field remains Western-centric, limiting the applicability of findings in diverse contexts like Central Asia. This monograph confronts this gap by providing a comprehensive cross-cultural analysis of workplace bullying with a primary focus on Uzbekistan. It argues that dominant Western models must be critically adapted to account for local historical legacies and cultural norms in post-Soviet, high power-distance societies. Employing an integrative review of global literature, foundational theories and interventions are evaluated through the lens of Uzbek socio-historical context. Key findings demonstrate that cultural dimensions—particularly high power distance and collectivism—fundamentally alter the perception and reporting of bullying. In the Uzbek context, behaviors related to disrespect (hurmatsizlik) and the loss of public face (obro’) are more salient indicators of bullying than standard Western checklists of negative acts. Furthermore, the work proposes a culturally attuned framework for intervention, shifting focus from direct confrontation toward strategies emphasizing mediation, face-saving, and collective group dynamics (jamoa). Finally, the monograph highlights the methodological necessity of developing indigenous measurement tools, critiquing the uncritical application of Western instruments like the Negative Acts Questionnaire in non-Western contexts. This work serves as a roadmap for future empirical research and provides managers with a guide for developing culturally sensitive prevention strategies.

Part of the book: Navigating the Labyrinth