Mapping the Intellectual Landscape of Workplace Incivility: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

This bibliometric study examines the evolution of research on workplace incivility from 1999 to 2025. Using a curated dataset of 1,000 scholarly articles retrieved through the Publish or Perish software from Google Scholar, we analyze multiple bibliometric indicators, including annual publication trends, citation performance, the most prolific authors, top contributing institutions, leading journals, and patterns of international collaboration. Results reveal steady growth in scholarly output, accompanied by a significant surge in research activity after 2010. Peak productivity was recorded in 2021, with 103 publications. The most-cited paper in the dataset is Andersson and Pearson (1999), Tit for Tat? The spiralling effect of incivility in the workplace, which has received 5,402 citations, underscores the influence of foundational theories in the field. The United States, Canada, and the UK emerged as major research hubs, with growing contributions from Asian and European scholars in recent years. This paper provides a comprehensive guide for academicians, practitioners, and policymakers aiming to understand the trajectory of academic progress and anticipate future directions in this evolving field.