ABSTRACT
Counterproductive work behavior (CWB) subsumes a broad range of behaviors by employees that harm organizations and/or people in organizations. Emotions have been widely studied since it is believed that they mediate the relationship between several antecedent variables and acts of CWB and withdrawal. This chapter discusses the nature and assessment of CWB. It also discusses potential environmental and individual antecedents of CWB and potential consequences of engaging in CWB. Scholars have studied the interaction among the Five-Factor Model traits in predicting CWB since these interrelationships can provide further insight into the behavioral manifestation of personality. Although the evidence is vast for many criterion outcomes of interest, less research exists for the predictive role of cognitive ability in explaining CWB, and the research that does exist is mixed. However, a meta-analysis reported that education level was unrelated to CWB and tardiness but negatively related to absence.
