Mobbing in the Academe: The Case of Albanian Universities

Abstract

Mobbing is a new concept studied in the organizations, yet it is believed to have existed long before they gave it a
name. Leymann (1996) introduced it for the first time, and since then the studies over the phenomenon have expanded. The
present study deals with the mobbing in the workplace, in Albania. The study aims at establishing a prevalence of this
phenomenon in academia, with no distinction whether it is a public or private institution. Other international studies have stated
that universities and are the main ground where mobbing especially flourishes. To the researcher’s knowledge there are no
studies to estimate the prevalence of mobbing in Albania. Moreover, it was looked into a correlational relation between mobbing
and various consequences, such as turnover intentions, as well as psycho-somatic consequences. Based on other researchers’
experiences, it was chosen to use self report questionnaires. 100 questionnaires were distributed to full time lecturers in various
universities around Albania. The Negative Act Questionnaire was the instrument to measure mobbing and there were questions
about different symptoms experienced and the medical expenditures. The percentages were calculated based on Leymann’s
definition about mobbing (at least once a week, for six months or more). The consequences of this phenomenon as expressed in
physical, psychological symptoms are calculated and discussed.