The Effect of Despotic Leadership on the Employee Work Withdrawal Behavior and Acquiescent Silence

Abstract

Purpose: The main aim to conduct this research is to identify whether LMX mediates the relationship between despotic leadership and acquiescence silence. In addition, the study also takes into account the role of Quality of work life as a mediator in the relationship between despotic leadership and work withdrawal behavior. Methodology: The data was collected by sharing the adopted questionnaire with the target population a total of 247 valid responses were received from the employee working in the manufacturing sector of Pakistan. Smart PLS was used to measure the model. The research is conducted for the managers leading a team of professionals and the community of Human Resource Development that includes business consultants, advisors, employees, top management, scholars, specialists, and students. Findings: The study found that despotic leadership increases withdrawal behavior and acquiescence in silence among employees. Moreover, leader-member exchange mediates the relationship between despotic leadership and work withdrawal behavior and quality of work-life mediates the relationship between despotic leadership and work withdrawal behavior. Conclusion: The findings declared that despotic leadership has a destructive influence on subordinates concerning increased work withdrawal behavior and acquiescent silence.