Abstract
Workplace psychological terror—referred to in the international literature as workplace mobbing or workplace bullying—has become one of the most significant psychosocial risk factors in organizational functioning over the past decades. Earlier studies frequently interpreted the phenomenon primarily as an interpersonal conflict or a human resource management issue. However, a growing body of empirical evidence indicates that workplace mobbing has substantial economic and organizational consequences. The effects of psychological harassment include deterioration of mental and somatic health, decreased productivity, increased employee turnover, and heightened legal and reputational risks, all of which ultimately contribute to the decline of organizational efficiency.
The aim of this study is to present an integrated economic model that examines the mechanisms of human capital loss caused by workplace psychological terror. The model conceptualizes the phenomenon as a sequential chain of effects linking psychosocial risks, health deterioration, operational productivity losses, and strategic organizational costs. The research applies a multidisciplinary approach by integrating findings from occupational psychology, health economics, and organizational economics. Based on international and national empirical studies, workplace bullying can impose a considerable economic burden on both organizations and national economies; according to Hungarian estimates, the phenomenon may cause annual economic losses of approximately HUF 220 billion (Garami & Ráczi, 2023).
One of the main contributions of the study is the development of an economic model of human capital loss, which interprets the effects of psychological terror in relation to organizational performance and competitiveness. The results highlight that addressing workplace mobbing is not merely an ethical or legal issue but a strategic management challenge that has a direct impact on organizational quality and long-term economic sustainability.
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References
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