Workplace bullying among hotel employees: Role of centralization of authority and work-locus of control

This study examines how centralization of authority and work locus of control influence workplace bullying perceptions among hotel employees in India, addressing a gap in understanding organizational and individual factors within the hospitality sector's high power distance context. Data were collected from 300 employees across four- and five-star hotels in southern India using purposive and snowball sampling, with both online and hard-copy standardized questionnaires measuring centralization, work locus of control, and bullying perceptions (work-related, person-related, and physically intimidating). Contrary to expectations, a higher hierarchy of authority was associated with reduced work-related bullying, suggesting that centralized structures may provide clarity and stability in India's cultural context. Also, greater participation in decision-making correlated with increased physically intimidating bullying, indicating potential interpersonal tensions during collaborative processes. Internal work locus of control moderated these relationships, with employees exhibiting higher internal locus perceiving less bullying, highlighting the role of individual agency in mitigating negative workplace dynamics. These findings challenge conventional assumptions about centralized authority's role in fostering bullying, particularly in Eastern settings, and underscore the moderating effect of internal locus of control. The study contributes to workplace bullying literature by offering insights into cultural and structural influences in the Indian hospitality sector. It provides practical implications for managers to design interventions that enhance employee control and address power dynamics to reduce bullying perceptions.