The third category of job performance, counterproductive behaviour, divides those behaviours into 4 sub-categories. Which of the following pairs of…

Research on counterproductive work behaviour (CWB) distinguishes acts directed at the organization (CWB-O) from those directed at individuals (CWB-I). Property deviance (e.g., theft, sabotage) and production deviance (e.g., wasting resources, shirking) are both CWB-O because their purpose is to harm or disadvantage the organization itself, whereas political deviance and personal aggression are aimed at co-workers. Therefore the pair that demonstrably targets the organization is Property deviance and Production deviance.

A. Political deviance targets individuals through gossip or favoritism, not the organization.

C. Personal aggression is interpersonal hostility (harassment, abuse), not organization-directed harm.

D. Both political deviance and personal aggression are CWB-I, harming people rather than the employing organization.

1. Rotundo, M., & Sackett, P. R. (2002). “The relative importance of task, citizenship, and counterproductive performance…” Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(1), 72–80, esp. pp. 73-74. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.87.1.66

2. Robinson, S. L., & Bennett, R. J. (1995). “A typology of deviant workplace behaviors…” Academy of Management Journal, 38(2), 555-572, Table 1. https://doi.org/10.2307/256693