Workplace Bullying as a Factor Reducing Organisational Excellence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37886/ip.2026.008Keywords:
workplace bullying, psychosocial violence, organisational culture, leadership, organisational excellence, EFQM 2020 model, work environmentAbstract
Research Question (RQ): The research examines how the presence of workplace bullying in an organization affects the achievement of Criterion M2 (Culture and Leadership) within the EFQM 2020 model.
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to analyse the phenomenon of workplace bullying and to examine its psychological, behavioural, and organizational consequences. The aim is to demonstrate how bullying influences the elements of the EFQM 2020 model, particularly Criterion M2, which focuses on culture, leadership, and employee engagement.
Method: The study is based on a qualitative literature review, including scientific articles, review studies, and master's theses published between 2020 and 2025. The descriptive method and the compilation method were used to collect, synthesise, and interpret the findings of various authors.
Results: The literature review shows that workplace bullying leads to severe psychological and physical consequences for employees and reduces productivity, work quality, innovation, and organisational commitment. Research confirms that the presence of bullying directly reduces organisational excellence by threatening psychological safety, disrupting organisational culture, and weakening leadership effectiveness.
Organization: The findings have important practical implications for managers and organisations. The results indicate that preventing bullying requires ethical, transformational, and participative leadership as well as a well-developed organisational culture. Organisations that fail to address bullying struggle to meet the principles of the EFQM 2020 model and consequently lose competitiveness and the ability to create sustainable value.
Society: Bullying has broader societal effects, as it impacts mental health, social security, the quality of work environments, and overall community well-being. Preventing bullying contributes to improved psychosocial health and strengthens the social responsibility of organisations.
Originality: The originality of the study lies in linking workplace bullying with organisational excellence through the lens of the EFQM 2020 model, with a particular emphasis on Criterion M2. The research integrates recent literature and Slovenian academic practice, offering a comprehensive insight into how psychosocial risks affect organisational excellence.
Limitations/Future Research: The limitations of the study arise from the use of secondary sources and the time frame (2020–2025). Future research could include empirical methods such as interviews, surveys, or case studies to provide deeper insights into how employees and leaders perceive bullying and its impact on culture and excellence.
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