Cyberloafing in Nurses and Dark Leadership: Investigating the Impact of Despotic Leadership, Organizational Cynicism, and Cyberloafing: A Case from the Healthcare Sector of Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose: “This study investigates the impact of Despotic Leadership on Cyberloafing, with Organizational Cynicism as a mediating factor, within the healthcare sector of Pakistan. The study is motivated by the increasing concerns regarding authoritarian leadership styles and their adverse effects on employee behavior and Organizational outcomes. Given the critical nature of healthcare services, understanding how Despotic Leadership contributes to workplace disengagement is essential for improving hospital efficiency and patient care.” Design/Methodology/Approach: “This research is among the first to examine the relationship between Despotic Leadership, Organizational Cynicism, and Cyberloafing in the healthcare context. A quantitative survey-based approach was used, collecting data from 383 nurses in public and private hospitals in Pakistan via convenience sampling. Smart PLS-SEM was employed for the measurement model, while PLS-PROCESS Macro was used for hypothesis testing.” Findings: The results reveal that Despotic Leadership significantly increases Cyberloafing, highlighting the detrimental impact of authoritarian leadership on employee productivity. Furthermore, Organizational Cynicism significantly mediates this relationship, indicating that employees subjected to Despotic Leadership develop negative attitudes toward their organization, which in turn leads to increased Cyberloafing. Originality/Value: This study fills a critical research gap by being the first to empirically examine the link between Despotic Leadership, Organizational Cynicism, and Cyberloafing in the healthcare sector. The study provides practical insights for hospital administrators and policymakers on mitigating the negative effects of authoritarian leadership and fostering a more engaged workforce.

Keywords: Despotic Leadership, Cyberloafing, Organizational Cynicism, Situational Strength theory, Theory of planned behavior