Revenge or Forgiveness? An Equation With Multiple Variables in Organizational Setting

Abstract

Human development measures the level of proThis exploratory study focuses on the concept of revenge in workplace. It attempts to understand how revenge is conceptualized by managers and employees, their revenge motives and strategies. Given the sensitivity of the subject, in-depth interview was chosen as the data collection method. Interviews were conducted with 10 people working in various positions in public and private sectors. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with the help of discourse analysis. Findings are discussed around the emerging themes (perceptions of revenge, revenge motives, revenge strategies and forgiving). The research contributes to a better understanding of the antecedents and consequences of revenge, how different positions make difference in revenge strategies and motives, and in what kind of situations and intentions lead people to forgive instead of focusing on revenge.