WORKPLACE OSTRACISM AND COUNTERPRODUCTIVE WORK BEHAVIOURS: A MODERATED MEDIATION ANALYSIS OF ORGANISATIONAL CYNICISM AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE EDUCATIONAL SECTOR

Abstract

This article aimed to examine the effect of workplace ostracism on employees' propensity to participate in counterproductive work behaviours, considering the mediating role of organisational cynicism and the moderating impact of emotional intelligence. Education sector, the most significant sector of any economy, is expanding rapidly in Pakistan. The main actors in this sector are teaching professionals. The level and quality of education is directly related to the expertise, competencies, and knowledge of teaching professionals. Positive intent, in addition to information, skills, and abilities, is crucial for transmitting knowledge to students. However, this objective may not be realized if teachers tend to demonstrate negative workplace behaviours. In this regard, three contextual variables i.e., organisational cynicism, workplace ostracism, and emotional intelligence, were used to help explain why and how a relationship exists between workplace ostracism and employee’ engagement in counterproductive work behaviours. This was a quantitative study, based on survey approach. The study found that workplace ostracism not only enhances teachers' perceptions of organisational cynicism but also intensifies their inclination to engage in counterproductive work behaviours. Similarly, organisational cynicism accelerates teachers' tendency to participate in counterproductive work behaviours, while emotional intelligence dampens it. Lastly, emotional intelligence has been found to moderates the relationship between workplace ostracism and counterproductive work behaviours, whereas organisational cynicism mediates the said relationship. Thus, this study carries significant contribution by explaining why teachers sometimes engage in counterproductive work behaviour and helps devising ways to combat it.