EFFECT OF DESPOTIC LEADERSHIP ON ORGANIZATIONAL CYNICISM: ROLE OF MORAL DISENGAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION

The purpose of this study was to find out the effect despotic leadership on organizational cynicism both directly and with mediating role moral disengagement. It also posited that identification inversely moderates cynicism. Data collected from SMEs in Gujranwala Division Punjab, Pakistan. sample consisted 280 randomly chosen front line employees nine strata SME manufacturing concerns. To empirically test hypothesized model, SEM (Structural equation modelling) Process Macros SPSS 25 were used. results confirm model. Despotic has positive Moral disengagement mediated between Furthermore, proved higher lesser cynic vice versa. is first its kind advanced our understanding dark leadership, cynicism, SMEs. guide practice by highlighting ill-effects leadership. important implications for literature, policy managerial presented end.