Interactional justice and counterproductive work behaviors: The mediating role of negative emotions

Perceptions of interactional justice have been shown to explain why employees engage in counterproductive work behaviors (CWB; Bies, 2005). However, the processes involved in this relationship have yet to be clarified. In this study, we drew on the cognitive theory of emotions and extended work published on the mediating role in this relationship (Fox &Spector, 1999) by conducting a survey with insurance company employees (N = 187). Data analyses confirmed that CWB are significantly predicted by both low perceived interactional justice and negative emotions. In addition, 2 significant mediation effects were observed:(a) perceived anger mediates the relationship between low perceived interpersonal justice and active CWB, and (b) perceived fear mediates the relationship between low perceived informational justice and passive CWB. The theoretical and organizational implications of these findings are discussed.