The relationship between institutional climate and constructive deviance

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to explore the impact of organizational climates on constructive workplace deviance by examining staff attitudes to four dimensions of institutional climate: academic; administrative; developmental; and financial. Though carried out with exclusively academic staff working in university environments, it has considerable potential as a pilot for adaptation to the needs of managers and carers working with intellectually challenged offenders and their families. Design/methodology/approach Data from a purposive (non-probability) sample of 357 academicians used in technical education in public or private organizations were collected electronically using a Likert-type questionnaire. Analytic techniques used in this study include measurement model assessment and structural equation modeling. Findings Respondents indicated that institutional climate significantly influences employees in how they exhibit constructive deviance in their workplace behavior. Practices such as whistle blowing, prosocial rule-breaking and openly expressing their concerns are common symptoms exhibited in constructive deviant behavior. An employee who is positively influenced by the organization’s climate would stand up against any policy or activity that could disrupt or harm the company’s operations and reputation. Results imply that, of the four climate variables analysed, financial climate has the most influence on positive deviance, followed by developmental and administrative climates, with academic climate having the least influence. Practical implications The current study’s target population is the academicians working as faculty members in the field of technical education, having multiple implications for the management of institutions. The findings of the study emphasize the significance of their workplace policies and ethics. Given the indication that financial climate appeared to be the most influential of the dimensions under study, this would emphasize the need to develop an environment where there is no irrelevant discrimination in pay based solely on gender, caste or creed. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt to understand and describe its four key elements together as contributory factors to constructive deviance in an organization.