Examining the Mediating Effect of Workplace Ostracism on the Relationship between Despotic Leadership and Emotional Exhaustion in Public HEIs

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between despotic leadership and emotional exhaustion among employees in public sector in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), focusing on the mediating role of workplace ostracism and the moderating role of psychological capital. Data were collected from 187 employees across various public sector HEIs. The results reveal a significant positive association between despotic leadership and emotional exhaustion, indicating that employees that employees experiencing despotic leadership tend to report higher levels of emotional exhaustion. Moreover, the analysis demonstrates the mediating effect of workplace ostracism, suggesting that workplace ostracism serves as a mechanism through which despotic leadership contributes to emotional exhaustion among employees. Furthermore, the findings indicate that psychological capital plays a moderating role in the relationship between despotic leadership and workplace ostracism, implying that employees with higher psychological capital are less susceptible to the negative effects of despotic leadership and subsequent workplace ostracism on emotional exhaustion. These results contribute to our understanding of the detrimental effects of despotic in public sector HEIs and underscores the importance of addressing workplace ostracism and enhancing psychological capital to mitigate the adverse consequences of despotic leadership on employee well-being.

Keywords: Despotic Leadership, Psychological Capital, Workplace Ostracism, Emotional Exhaustion, Higher Education Institutions, Public Sector