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Article
Publication date: 4 September 2017

Mike Schraeder and Hannah Schraeder

The purpose of this paper is to describe the potential value of affirmation as a way that leaders might be able to reduce employee cynicism in organizations.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the potential value of affirmation as a way that leaders might be able to reduce employee cynicism in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief overview of cynicism and possible value of affirmation as a method to reduce cynicism is followed by suggestions for ways that leaders may be able to reduce cynicism through affirmation. Six strategies for reducing cynicism were summarized. These strategies were organized using AFFIRM as an acrostic.

Findings

Leaders may be able to reduce employee cynicism through actions intended to affirm employees. Specifically, it is suggested that leaders can affirm employees through acknowledgement and appreciation, feedback, focus, involvement, respect, and maintaining employee well-being.

Originality/value

This paper framed the strategies for reducing cynicism using AFFIRM as an acrostic for the six strategies. Organizing the recommended strategies of acknowledgement/appreciation, feedback, focus, involvement, respect, and maintaining employee well-being using this methodology may be a beneficial tool for leaders looking for ways to reduce employee cynicism in organizations.

Details

Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7282

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 November 2018

Muhammad Arslan

Organizational cynicism is a growing trend in contemporary organizations. However, its impact on employee performance remains understudied. The purpose of this study is to address…

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Abstract

Purpose

Organizational cynicism is a growing trend in contemporary organizations. However, its impact on employee performance remains understudied. The purpose of this study is to address this gap by investigating the effect of three dimensions of organizational cynicism (cognitive, affective and behavioral cynicisms) on employee performance. The study also investigates the moderating effect of employee engagement on the relationship between three types of organizational cynicism and employee performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data are collected through questionnaire from employees (N = 200) of various health organizations in Pakistan by using a convenient sampling technique. Hierarchal multiple regression models are used by using SPSS.

Findings

The findings reveal that all three types of organizational cynicism (i.e. cognitive cynicism, affective cynicism and behavioral cynicism) have a significant negative relationship with employee performance, while employee engagement moderates this relationship. Moreover, the findings indicate that the majority of respondents are not happy with their organizations. They have the feeling that their organizations are not fulfilling their promises, in fact, are betraying them in different ways. This breach of contract becomes the reason for organizational cynicism among employees and negatively affects their performance at work.

Research limitations/implications

The study has a large population size and it is quite difficult to address the whole population and collect data from a large sample because of time and limited budget.

Practical/implications

The organizational culture can mitigate the negative effect of organizational cynicism and enhance performance by promoting employee engagement. The study helps psychologists to understand employees’ attitudes and improve personnel selection to ensure they recruit the right people. Openness, honesty and early communication can increase predictability and controllability of future events.

Social implications

The job insecurity and lack of adequate compensation are assertive factors towards low productivity and negative attitude toward organization.

Originality/value

According to the researchers’ best knowledge, only few studies tried to investigate the relationship between organizational cynicism and employee performance by using the moderating effect of employee engagement. Therefore, it will be a good contribution in existing literature to understand consequences of cynicisms.

Details

Journal of Global Responsibility, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2041-2568

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 December 2020

Noufou Ouedraogo and Mohammed Laid Ouakouak

Organisations implement changes either to address real business imperatives or to follow trends in their industries. But frequent changes in an organisation often lead to employee

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Abstract

Purpose

Organisations implement changes either to address real business imperatives or to follow trends in their industries. But frequent changes in an organisation often lead to employee change fatigue and change cynicism. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the change logic of appropriateness and the logic of consequences on change fatigue and change cynicism and the impact of change fatigue and change cynicism on change success.

Design/methodology/approach

To carry out this study, the authors collected data on a sample of 320 participants from diverse organisations, and they used structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques to test our hypotheses depicted in the research model.

Findings

The authors found that the change logic of consequences reduces both change fatigue and change cynicism, whereas the change logic of appropriateness increases change fatigue. The authors also found that change fatigue does not have any direct effect on change success, although it maintains an indirect negative effect on change success through change cynicism.

Practical implications

Along with other practical implications, the authors recommend that change managers help employees understand any logic of consequences that sustain their change initiatives. Additionally, change managers should work to prevent change fatigue from turning into change cynicism, which is the real precursor of reduced change success.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to show that employees experience change fatigue and change cynicism differently, depending on the reason underlying the change. It is also among the first to show that change fatigue does not affect change success directly but does so through the interplay of change cynicism.

Details

Journal of Organizational Change Management, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0953-4814

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 September 2019

Michelle Brown, Maria L. Kraimer and Virginia K. Bratton

Using job demands–resources (JD–R) theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of job demands (difficult performance appraisal (PA) objectives) and job resources…

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Abstract

Purpose

Using job demands–resources (JD–R) theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of job demands (difficult performance appraisal (PA) objectives) and job resources (performance feedback and leader member exchange (LMX)) on employee reports of PA cynicism. The paper also investigates the consequences of PA cynicism on intent to quit and bad sportsmanship.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data on PA demands and resources, PA cynicism and turnover intentions were obtained from employees. Supervisors rated their employees’ level of sportsmanship.

Findings

Contrary to the predictions of JD–R theory, the authors found that employees are most likely to be cynical when they experience high levels of job resources (LMX and performance feedback) and high levels of job demands (difficult objectives).

Research limitations/implications

The study demonstrates that PA cynicism matters – employees with higher levels of PA cynicism were more likely to contemplate leaving the organization; employees with high levels of PA cynicism are rated as bad sports by their supervisors.

Practical implications

Employees are sensitive to gaps between the description and reality of a PA process which can trigger thoughts of organizational exit and ineffective work behaviors. human resource managers need to ensure that employees regard the PA process as valuable, useful and worth their time and effort.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the PA literature by investigating the role of both job resources and demands. PA research has focused on the specification of job demands, underplaying the role of job resources in employee attitudes toward PA.

Details

Personnel Review, vol. 49 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0048-3486

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 January 2022

James Baba Abugre and Moses Acquaah

The purpose of the study is to evidently examine how employee cynicism mediates the relationship between co-worker relationship and employee turnover intentions in organizations…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to evidently examine how employee cynicism mediates the relationship between co-worker relationship and employee turnover intentions in organizations in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a cross-sectional survey of employees from both public and private organizations, the authors tested our hypotheses with a sample of 288 employees by means of structural equation modelling (SEM) using maximum likelihood estimation with LISREL 9.2 and bootstrapping procedures.

Findings

Findings showed that co-worker relationship is negatively associated with employee cynicism. The findings further revealed that employee cynicism is positively associated with employees' intention to leave. Additionally, employee cynicism negatively mediated the relationship between co-worker relationship and employee intention to leave their organizations.

Practical implications

The work recommends that organizations become aware of employee cynicism which can adversely affects co-worker relationship and consequently organizational performance. Therefore, organizations ought to reduce employee cynicism and rather encourage positive co-worker relations through interpersonal relationship and support for employees.

Originality/value

An investigation of co-worker relationship in organization and employee intentions to leave or turnover is a significant micro-level analysis for contemporary Human Resource Management (HRM) research. This study gives us a scarce opportunity to understand how employee cynicism negatively mediates the relationship between co-worker relationship and turnover intentions of employees.

Details

African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-0705

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 December 2023

Pengbo Li, Yina Lv, Runna Wang, Tao Chen, Jing Gao and Zixin Huang

Guided by the cognitive-affective system theory of personality (CAPS), this study aims to investigate the parallel mediating effects of cognitive and affective cynicism on the…

Abstract

Purpose

Guided by the cognitive-affective system theory of personality (CAPS), this study aims to investigate the parallel mediating effects of cognitive and affective cynicism on the relationship between illegitimate tasks and employees’ adaptive performance. It also proposes growth need strength as a moderating variable for relationships between illegitimate tasks and employees’ adaptive performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a time-lagged design, data were gathered from 330 frontline hotel employees in China.

Findings

The authors found that the presence of illegitimate tasks is negatively associated with employees’ adaptive performance, this relationship being mediated by cognitive and affective cynicism. Growth need strength weakens the negative impacts of cognitive and affective cynicism on employees’ adaptive performance. In addition, the indirect effect of illegitimate tasks on employees’ adaptive performance via cognitive and affective cynicism is stronger for employees with lower levels of growth need strength.

Practical implications

Hotel managers must heed the negative impact of illegitimate tasks. Furthermore, they should underscore the importance of promoting a harmonious and positive organizational culture and atmosphere. Naturally, hotel managers must also establish effective communication with employees, assisting them in fostering a desire for excellence in their work.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable insights for the hospitality industry by investigating how illegitimate tasks hold sway over hotel employees’ adaptive performance. The study uses a moderated dual-path model to uncover the mechanisms behind this impact and the influence of boundary conditions, thereby expanding the understanding of the topic.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 August 2022

Bahadur Ali Soomro, Ummi Naiemah Saraih and Tunku Salha Tunku Ahmad

This study examines the effect of personality traits on organizational cynicism (OC). It explores, also, OC's predictive power on Employee Performance (EP) in Pakistan.

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the effect of personality traits on organizational cynicism (OC). It explores, also, OC's predictive power on Employee Performance (EP) in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative study in which the authors employed a survey questionnaire to collect cross-sectional data from the academic leaders of Pakistan's Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). The authors utilized 325 usable cases to arrive at this study's findings.

Findings

The Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis shows a positive and significant effect of agreeableness, extraversion, Emotional Stability (ES), conscientiousness and openness to experience on Cognitive Cynicism (CC), Affective Cynicism (AC) and Behavioural Cynicism (BC). Moreover, CC, AC and BC have proven to be negative and insignificant predictors of EP.

Practical implications

This study's findings offer additional insights to understanding the direct connection between personality traits, OC and EP. Therefore, the findings support the development of effective policies and organizational setups to manage OC through personality traits. The findings assist, also, in understanding OC and its adverse effects on EP. Finally, the findings further add to the depth of the literature through empirical confirmation by academic leaders.

Originality/value

This study's findings offer the original contribution of personality traits, OC and EP among HEIs' academic leaders in a developing country.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 36 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2022

Xinying Yu and Yuwen Liu

With the spread of COVID-19, governments have initiated lockdown procedures and forced organizations to switch to remote working. Employees working remotely in isolated and…

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Abstract

Purpose

With the spread of COVID-19, governments have initiated lockdown procedures and forced organizations to switch to remote working. Employees working remotely in isolated and confined situations are experiencing great stress and uncertainty. This study aims to investigate how remote workers perform during lockdowns.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on social information processing theory, this study developed and tested hypotheses linking professional isolation, cynicism and task performance. This study was comprised of 497 remote workers in the financial industry in China.

Findings

The findings revealed that professional isolation is positively related to cynicism, and cynicism is negatively related to task performance. Cynicism mediates the relationship between professional isolation and task performance. The results indicated that psychological hardiness moderated the mediation effect of professional isolation on task performance through cynicism.

Practical implications

This research offers implications for managers and practitioners on reducing employees' feeling of isolation through effective communication, collaboration and support via online platforms and preventing and reducing cynicism by introducing clear organizational policy and practice to balance job demands and job resources. Meanwhile, managers can develop commitment, control and challenge components of employees' psychological hardiness to enhance job performance.

Originality/value

This study extends the remote working literature in a crisis situation and fills the gap in the cynicism literature by understanding the role played by cynicism for remote workers. The current study also adds to the literature by highlighting the importance of psychological hardiness for remote workers during the pandemic.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. 36 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 May 2021

Cem Sen, Ibrahim Sani Mert and A. Mohammed Abubakar

A traditional view of an ideal workplace is an organization with a justice climate and a supportive atmosphere. Over the past years, justice and support practices in the workplace…

Abstract

Purpose

A traditional view of an ideal workplace is an organization with a justice climate and a supportive atmosphere. Over the past years, justice and support practices in the workplace have received significant scholarly, practical and even political attention. Unfortunately, theoretical underpinnings and literature associated with these themes vary across multiple disciplines, cultural and contextual settings. To fill the void from the Turkish contextual perspective, the present study aims to examine the association among perceived organizational support (POS), organizational justice and cynicism.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample was chosen from the public employees in the central organization of two ministries in Ankara Province. Data through questionnaires were collected by the conveniency method from a total of 326 public employees. The proposed model is analyzed withvariance-based structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

Results suggest that POS and organizational justice exert a negative impact on cynicism. In particular, as employees-POS and organizational justice increases, the tendency for organizational cynicism decreases.

Originality/value

In today’s dynamic environment, controlling and reducing the cynicism, which emerges as an important threat to the success of organizations, of employees has become essential in obtaining a sustainable competitive advantage. The originality of this research stems from its ability to put forward how to manage and control cynicism, with the help of organizational support and organizational justice and hence have a power that increases personal and organizational efficiency and performance from the Turkish contextual perspective. There is limited research examining the relationship among organizational POS, organizational justice and cynicism in the Turkish context.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. 30 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 September 2018

Katja Stradovnik and Janez Stare

The purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of Machiavellian leadership and organisational cynicism on the emotional exhaustion of employees.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of Machiavellian leadership and organisational cynicism on the emotional exhaustion of employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 463 employees of Slovenian municipalities. Surveys were used to collect Machiavellianism, organisational cynicism and emotional exhaustion data. Hypotheses were verified by means of three methods: the contingency table, χ2 test and Pearson coefficient.

Findings

Machiavellian leadership has an impact both on the presence of emotional exhaustion and organisational cynicism. According to the results, both Machiavellianism and organisational cynicism have a direct linear impact on the increase of emotional exhaustion.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the research were formulated on the basis of a survey conducted according to a self-assessment online survey.

Originality/value

Even though the concept of Machiavellianism was developed 500 years ago, the existing literature suggests that it continues to be relevant in modern times, most frequently in terms of examining the way leaders establish their power and adopt (un)ethical leadership practices and the implications their behaviour has on their direct working environment. Only select authors have examined Machiavellianism in correlation with organisational cynicism and emotional exhaustion, with an emphasis on the public sector. Due to a lack of research conducted on the subject, the main research challenge was to establish actual correlations between the three factors above.

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 39 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

Keywords

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